With the Wind | A Short Novel by Judith Cropola Read Free Book Online Page B

questions. 
                  “Oh, Dios,” Jose muttered as he crossed himself.  He did not want to confront Daniel. 
                  He wanted to tell Mr. Buffett to go to hell, but that was not an option.                Jose and Eva were illegals and even though they had been in America for over five years, if they got caught they would be sent home.  Eva’s mother was dead, as were both sets of her grandparents.  Jose was all she had left and he could not put his daughter at risk. 
                  “Papa!” Eva shouted.  “I’m getting good at this game.  Watch me!” 
                  Eva tossed two horseshoes and the second one was nearly a ringer.
                  “Daniel, may I speak with you for a moment?” Jose asked.
                  “I’ll go wash up, Daniel.  You’re sitting by me at dinner tonight.  Remember, you promised!”  Eva Rodriguez was a beautiful child who was obviously well on her way to becoming an attractive young woman.
                  “We shall dine together tonight, my sweet,” Daniel said.
                  Eva beamed, as she did every time Daniel paid attention to her.  She ran off, her brown pony tails bouncing on her slender, tan shoulders.
                  “Daniel, we must talk.  First you must promise not to get mad at me.”
                  “Am I to be fired?” Daniel asked.
                  “No, not yet.  But you will be if you do not stop spending time with Miss Misty.”
                  “Why?  Is she upset with me?”
                  “Mr. Buffett is upset with you, but you must never, never tell him that I told you this.  He may fire me if you tell him.  I cannot risk my job, or worse I ...”
                  “Jose, tell me everything, from the start,” Daniel said, interrupting.
                  “Mr. Buffett wants you to stop talking to Misty.  He no give me reason, but I figure it out easy enough.  Mr. Wilson, he no like you.” 
                  “If I keep talking to Misty Mr. Anthony will fire me?  Why did he not just speak to me directly?”
                  “He no want Miss Misty to know why you stop talking to her.  Daniel, he no play.  This is serious matter.”
                  “Yes,” Daniel agreed.  “This is a serious matter.”
                  “So you will do as he says and stay away from Miss Misty?”
                  “I will make sure that you are not involved, Jose.” 
                  “So you will stay away from Miss Misty?”
                  “You must trust me, my friend.  I will make sure that Mr. Anthony will not be angry with you.  More you cannot ask me to promise.”
                 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
     
                  “Meet me behind the bunkhouse in fifteen minutes.”
                  “Daniel, why can’t we talk now, I wanted to tell …”
                  “Please, keep walking.  Fifteen minutes, I explain then.”
                  Daniel moved away quickly, avoiding eye contact with Misty. 
                  He knew that he was being watched.
                  After finishing his early morning chores, Daniel returned to the bunkhouse.                He closed his door and then climbed out of the rear window. 
                  He saw Misty and motioned for her to join him behind the boiler.
                  “Daniel, what in the world is going on?” Misty asked.
                  “Your father is what is going on.  Did he tell you to stay away from me?”