Chapter 11

From the Tales of Flynnagan Rider

The Things We Do For Love (cont'd)

Max and I came upon a lovely little lake with a tiny waterfall next to it. Not too far over was a large boulder with an overhang behind it. I jumped off of Max to examine it further. It looked like it could have been used a shelter at one time or another. I was just about to try it out when I heard the sound of sobbing coming from somewhere. I ran around to the other side and saw Danielle sitting on the ground; her hands covering her eyes.

I called her name softly and she looked up a bit surprised to see me. She asked why I was there and I told her I originally came to find her and speak with her, but that I expected her to be a better mood.

And that I wanted to find out about this magnificent boulder.

She laughed at that and dried her eyes as I sat down next to her.

Danielle told me that the rock was used as shelter a long time ago. Cave men and other travelers used this rock to keep dry. When her ancestors bought the property, they kept that part of it open for wayward souls and strangers.

That is until one of them tried to rob them.

Ever since then, the property was closed off to strangers and the rock could only be reached by anyone who lived at or visited the house.

Danielle told me that this was the only place she came when she wanted to be alone, when she needed to think about things. I asked her what was so important and why she was crying. She hesitated a bit before she said anything, then she turned to me and told me exactly what was on her mind.

XXXXX

"This is beautiful, Eugene," Rapunzel said as he sat down next to her. "Is it in your family?"

"Thanks, beautiful, but no, it's not. Technically it doesn't belong to anyone anymore.

The King family used to have their estate on these grounds way back in 1700's. They actually just sold it recently to the Coronian City Council. You see this boulder we're sitting under? Cave men and strangers used this rock as a shelter long before the King's bought the property. They sold it with the intention of returning it to the people."

"This park is empty though." Rapunzel said, looking around. "I guess they still think of it as private property."

Eugene smiled. "It was the boulder I wanted you to see."

Rapunzel looked up. "This is the first time I've seen it myself." She looked around. A few more people had entered and were heading for the boulder.

"Want to take a walk? There are hiking trails all over this place and I can show you the estate, inside and outside."

They both stood up and Eugene pulled out a map of King's National Park. Come on, we can talk on the way."

They walked around the garden area, admiring the different flowers, plants and trees that dotted the area. There were fountains and goldfish and a swimming pool and a tennis court.

But nothing could top the estate.

"Does your girlfriend have anything to with this? Is she related?

Eugene stared at her, then put his head down. "She's not my girlfriend. We're just engaged to be married. I'm trying to put this relationship on hold. And yes, she is. This entire property belonged to them in the 1700's. Come, there's a plaque about it over here."

Sure enough, there was a bronze plaque which explained the history of the house, the grounds and the gardens. It was hanging on the left side of the doorway so as each person entered they would be able to see it.

Let's go inside," Rapunzel said, looking at Eugene.

Eugene nodded and took her hand in his. "Come on, then. This way I can tell Donna we toured her old family estate.

The two entered and looked around. In the foyer were pictures of the King family beginning with their arrival to old Corona Harbor in the late 1600's.

Rapunzel glanced at the old photographs and smiled when she saw their portrait. Each depicted the different generations. Finally she came upon the most recent photo.

"There they are," Eugene said, shaking his head. "From left to right, Barbara, James, and their daughter, Donna. She's the one that.."

But he stopped as he noticed as Rapunzel stared at the pictures, not saying a word.

He looked at her, then back at the photo, then back to her again.

"Rapunzel," he called. "Are you alright?"

But he didn't get an answer. At least, not right away.