Anything for Her - Complete

Chapter 19

"It's like a completely different world here," Rose said in awe, walking down the main street of Mitchell hand in hand with Dimitri. She had Lara in the baby carrier, facing outward so she could enjoy all the sights.

They'd arrived at dusk the night before, pulling up at an RV campsite. After three days staying roadside, Rose was ready for some creature comforts like a pool and spa. Dimitri needed to restock their supplies and male use of the dump station. Since it had been just the three of them for three days, it was weird to stay somewhere alongside other people, especially humans. But they'd used the barbecue next to another young couple who were there for the night as part of crossing America from east to west in an RV with their two young children, and after chatting while they cooked, they'd ended up spending a pleasant evening eating outside together and having a couple of beers.

Today Rose had insisted on a visit to the Corn Palace. She'd put her new camera to good use taking hundreds of photos, and now they were checking out the township. It was small – but the people were so friendly. Everyone they passed on the sidewalk smiled at them, some stopping to say hello and admire Lara.

"That's a pretty little one you have there," a plump, middle-aged woman gushed, puffing as she put several heavy-looking grocery bags onto the pavement to stop and admire Lara.

"Thank you," Rose responded with a smile. Lara did look particularly cute today. At a gas stop a couple of days ago, someone had accidentally called Lara 'him', so since then, Dimitri had insisted on the floral elasticated headband when they were out in public. Personally, Rose thought it was a bit prissy, but Dimitri wanted to show off his little lady, so she went along with it.

"Her name is Lara, and she's nine weeks," Rose replied proudly, dropping a soft kiss onto Lara's wispy hair.

"Well, she's just the sweetest little thing ever! I'm Pamela, and I live just outside of town. What brings you three here? Was it the corn museum?"

If anyone else had asked, Rose might have felt as though she were being interrogated, but everything about Pamela declared her to be a genuine, nice person.

"We've taken a couple of years off and are working our way around America," Dimitri responded. Pamela's ears perked as she heard his voice.

"That's not an accent I've heard before. Where are you from...?" Pamela paused, fishing for his name.

"Dimitri," he immediately supplied. "And this is Rose. I was born and raised in Siberia, Russia. But for the last seven years, I've worked mostly in Montana and Pennsylvania."

"You're a long way from home," Pamela observed.

"Home is where Rose and Lara are, now," he replied quietly.

"Have you found work around here yet?" Pamela asked shrewdly, eyeing Dimitri's size and obvious muscle mass. "And do you have any farming experience?"

"Not yet – we only arrived last night. No farming experience but I'm strong and work hard. I'll give anything a go."

Pamela nodded appreciatively. She liked Dimitri's positive but respectful attitude, and he obviously had a family to support.

"We're coming into harvest and could use another farm hand. You're welcome to come and give it a go if you're interested? It might not work out since you have no experience, but if you're keen you could come by at 6.00 am tomorrow and work at our property for the day? You'll be paid, and if it works out you could stay on for a week or so?"

Dimitri looked to Rose who shrugged. As a job, it had landed in their lap. There was nowhere they needed to be, so it was worth giving a go.

"That sounds wonderful, thank you, Pamela," Dimitri agreed. "We only have the RV, so I'd need to come in that."