Honeymoon for Three

drive through the park today.”
    “That’s what we’re going to do,” Penny said.
    “You two have done so much for me, already. I hate to impose any more, but, uh, I don’t think I can drive today.”
    Gary stared at him. Not drive? If he could walk, he could drive.
    “The backs of my legs are so sore.” Alfred touched one of his calves and winced in pain. “And my knee is too. I’m afraid that I wouldn’t be able to put the brake on hard, and this road has so many hills and curves. If I can’t use the brakes…” His voice trailed off.
    “What you should do is drive slowly back to the Kalispell area,” Penny said. “The road is easier going in that direction. Then rest for a day or so until you’re not so sore.”
    The corners of Alfred’s mouth turned up. “If I had all the time in the world, I could do that. I have to get back to work in a few days. What I was thinking—and I know it’s a terrible imposition—well, since we’re going in the same direction, perhaps Penny could drive my car and follow Gary.”
    Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had to tread carefully because Penny appeared to be sympathetic to Alfred’s problems. “What kind of a car do you have?”
    “It’s that Ford over there.”
    Gary followed Alfred’s pointing finger and with a shock recognized the car. Where had he seen it? “Did you stop at Grand Coulee Dam two days ago?”
    “Why yes.”
    “We were there at the same time,” Penny said. “We saw your car. I remember it because it looks just like my car. I didn’t know it was yours.”
    “Really? Where’s your car?” Alfred looked around the parking area.
    “We didn’t bring it,” Penny said. “We brought Gary’s car.”
    “What kind of a car do you have?” Alfred asked Gary.
    “The green Beetle.” Gary indicated his car, parked thirty feet from Alfred’s.
    “I remember your car,” Alfred said, beaming. “VW’s are so…cozy. As I recall, it was raining hard at the dam.”
    “Speaking of the car, I need to get something from it.” Gary nodded to Penny to accompany him.
    When they were out of earshot of Alfred, Gary said, “How much longer are we going to have to put up with this guy?” He was scowling, but he couldn’t help himself.
    “He is becoming a pain. I tell you what. We’ll help him out today, and that’s it. Tomorrow he’s on his own. I’ll drive his car because I’m used to driving an automatic. You’re better with the VW in the mountains. This road is really tricky.”
    “Where is Alfred going to ride?”
    “I can tell by your tone of voice that you don’t want him riding with you. He can ride with me. It’s okay. He’s harmless.”
    “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about being separated from you. After all, this is only the seventh day we’ve been married.”
    “You’re so sweet.” Penny gave him a hug. “We’ll be together at all the viewpoints. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
    When Penny talked like that, he would do anything for her. One day shouldn’t make that much difference out of a lifetime.
    ***
    Penny drove the Ford from the parking lot onto the road behind Gary. He had promised to drive slowly in the mountains, so that she wouldn’t have any trouble keeping up with him. They would be stopping often.
    The jagged peaks were gray on top, except for pockets of white snow. Lower down, blankets of green covered the hillsides where the evergreen trees ruled. Everything looked so sharp and fresh and clean. You could eat off the landscape. They headed uphill and would be going over the continental divide.
    Penny glanced at Alfred sitting in the seat beside her. He had changed from the pants with the torn knee into another pair. He looked very much the same as he had in high school, with his hair short and his head a little too large for his body. Ears and nose to match. He had unzipped his jacket, and Penny could see the bulge in his stomach. That hadn’t changed either.
    “Fantastic scenery.” Penny tried to make light conversation.
    “We don’t have much time,” Alfred said.
    Time for what? They had plenty of time.
    “Look.” Penny braked as a mother grizzly bear and two cubs loped across the road in front of them. The mother ran on three legs, holding the fourth aloft. They disappeared over the cliff at the side of the road.
    “We don’t have much time,” Alfred repeated, “so I’ll make this quick. I want you to come with me.”
    “Come with you