The red Volvo P1800 sportscar wound its way among the twisting, turning roads of the I-51m highway. Inside were a young couple, newlyweds, who had crammed their suitcases into the back of the nimble Volvo until their rear view vision was practically blinded. They'd set off from Willow Creek, Sim City, drove through Newcrest and then Windenburg on their way North to their honeymoon destination. The man, Neil Humphries, took delight in downshifting the Volvo's stick from 3rd to 4th gear and hearing the sporty engine purr from life into a sexy growl. Beside him sat his newly wedded wife, Suzy Humphries, nee Kent. She loved to look at the changing landscape as they drove.
Finally their destination hove into view: Granite Falls. Set in the beautiful Sim National Park, this area was a haven for nature lovers and those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Sim City life. It was also very private and not overrun with tourists or inquisitive people: Exactly the kind of place Neil and Suzy desired to spend a week in.
"Well, darling, this is the right spot...I see the cabin up ahead" said Neil, slowing the car down.
"I'm excited already, this is a beautiful place. I can see why Alan recommended it for a honeymoon destination." replied Suzy.
"This is a great wedding present he's given us: His own personal cabin in Granite Falls for the week." said Neil.
Alan here meant Alan Cuffe: Owner and editor of Lothario magazine, who Suzy contributed articles to. He was always a supporter of her reportage and had backed her when she was coming under pressure from the Landgraabs not to publish material that showed them in a bad light. But Cuffe was a passionate First Amendment believer and supported the right of a free press...which he was a member of.
"Just the two of us, Mr Humphries" said Suzy, coquettishly.
"Indeed, Mrs Humphries" replied Neil.
"Let's see what it's like inside" said Suzy, enthusiastically. She had the cabin keys while Neil unloaded the luggage and followed behind her. Then he put the bags down on the porch.
"Almost forgot.." he said, walking up to her. "OK, you know what we have to do now?" he said, his arms outstretched.
"A hug? A cuddle? Wait! You're picking me up! What? Put me down!" she said, her legs kicking in the air as he cradled her in his arms.
"Stop kicking! I'm trying to carry you over the threshold!" he complained.
"That's meant for our home, not out honeymoon!" she said.
"OK, I'll drop you on the ground then"
"NO! You may carry me over it...say, this is pretty romantic. I didn't know you had such strong arms" she said, resisting the kicking and instead putting both her arms around his neck and shoulders whilst pointing her foot in a suggestive manner.
The inside of the cabin was pure rustic charm in the American pioneer style. Cuffe had the place looking immaculate and made sure the fridge and pantry were fully stocked and that there were clean towels and bedding for the happy couple.
"This is lovely" said Suzy, sitting on the couch.
"Are you happy with a week in Granite Falls instead of London, Paris or Milan?" asked Neil, who sat next to her.
"Oh absolutely!" she said with enthusiasm. "I want to go to those places for sure but it wouldn't be just us...it would be me wanting to check out the scenes and would end up like work! No, we'll save that for another time. I want to be away from it all! How about you?"
"This place will do more to inspire me creatively than London." he replied.
"Well, I'll get the rest of the stuff out of the car" said Neil.
"I'm just going to freshen up a bit" replied Suzy.
"You look lovely and fresh the way you are"
"Oh stop it, you old romantic you!" she said, lightly slapping his arm. She sauntered into the bedroom and found a full length mirror there. Posing in front of it, the rustic charm of the cabin plus the buzz of being married and on honeymoon stirred her romantically and she became flirty.
"Look out, big boy, here I come!" she said, walking back into the lounge and seeing Neil on the front porch. "So, would you like to have some 'fun' now?" she said, in her most sultry voice before realising that Neil wasn't alone on the porch and that this visitor had heard everything that Suzy had said.
"Oh! Hello! I didn't know..."
"Suzy, this is Sara, she's a park ranger here. This is my wife, Suzy" said Neil, clearly embarrassed.
"Howdy, folks. Newlyweds?" asked Sara.
"Yes, how can you tell?" said Suzy, still blushing.
"I have an instinct for that kind of thing, ha-ha. And is this your first visit to Granite Falls?"
"Yes it is." replied Neil.
"Well, you've picked a dandy time of year to visit. The weather's set fine all week, the fishing's good and the flowers are all in bloom." said Sara.
"Sounds perfect" said Neil.
"I'll show you around the place so you know what's what" she said, getting up. Sara showed them all the cabin's amenities and those of the site itself. "Most of this was paid for by Mr Alan Cuffe, but I believe he's letting you use it?"
"Oh yes, I work for him sometimes" said Suzy. Sara raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh, not like that! I write articles for his magazine. I'm a writer." Suzy said, backtracking.
"Well, if there's anything you need the Ranger shack is right over there" she said pointing to a small wooden hut near a big carving of a grizzly bear. "I'll leave you folks to enjoy your honeymoon" she said with a playful wink.
Neil and Suzy waved goodbye to her and they stood next to each other, hand in hand. "Let's see what this place has to offer", said Neil.
"What a day!" said Suzy, flopping down on the couch and taking off her shoes. Neil sat down next to her.
"And that's just day 1!" he replied.
"How about we do as little as possible tomorrow to catch our breaths?" she said, giving her sore toes a flex.
"As little as possible?" responded Neil with a smile.
"Well, relaxing with some fun thrown in there" she said.
"What did you have in mind?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh a little of this..."
When they eventually stopped kissing, Suzy leaned back in the couch and let out a contented sigh. Then she said "I wonder how everyone's doing back home?"
"No! Let's not think about that...the purpose was to get away from it all" said Neil, friendly chiding her.
"I know, I know...but you know me; I'm always itching to do or think or come up with something"
"Don't think...just relax" replied Neil.
"You're right" said Suzy, leaning back further and stretching out her legs. "It's just that..." she began to say but her voice trailed off. She had something in the back of her mind she'd been pondering but couldn't find the words to articulate them. It wasn't about Neil or being married...it was more to do with being so far away from home in a tranquil place but lurking out there were all the things that had been building up over the months; the oddities, the mysteries, the sinister events that had taken place. She was a couple of hundred miles away from home and yet, on the fringes of her mind, those things were still present in a shadowy form.
"It's just what?" Neil responded.
Suzy sat upright and looked into his eyes: So caring, so loving she thought and all she could do was smile at him.
"It can wait" she said.
