I grab a paper towel from the dispenser, wrap it around the exposed wire, and stuff it under the drip tray. Then I plug the machine back in and exit out the back.
I sprint when I’m behind the building and turn the corner on the other side, opposite from where the deputies parked. As I round the corner, I slow to a casual walk. My heart is so efficient I’m not breathing hard. I peek around the corner and see the deputies sauntering toward the main office, then read the note saying no one is there.
I enter our motel room briskly, shutting the door quietly behind me. Naomi is sitting on the edge of the bed.
"We gotta go," I tell her, my voice low and urgent.
She's on her feet instantly, alert. "What is it?"
"Sheriff's deputies. They didn't come in guns blazing, so I'm not sure they're after us, but let's not test it."
We're already mostly packed to move since I was ready forthis exact scenario. Naomi grabs her bag while I grab mine. Neither of us speaks as we work. It should be strange how well we move around each other, but it isn't.
We stand by the door, ready to make our exit. Naomi reaches for the handle, but I catch her wrist. "Wait."
Outside, I hear raised voices, the crackle of a radio, then shouting.
"Now," I say, ripping open the door.
Smoke billows from the main office about twenty yards away. The two deputies are frantically trying to contain the blaze, but I’m guessing that not only is there no attendant but there’s also no fire extinguisher.
We throw our bags into the truck bed, and I jump behind the wheel. I duck my large frame as low as I can. Naomi tucks her body on top of mine.
Now my heart races.
I will my attention back to the commotion by the office. I'm watching the deputies, waiting for the right moment when they're fully distracted. They're gesturing wildly now, talking into their radios, but their eyes are looking all over the complex.
"Hold on," Naomi says.
She slides away from my lap, and I have a pang of stupid, immature disappointment. "What are you doing?" I ask as she slinks down and out of the passenger seat.
Before I can stop her, she's ducking low, running along the bottom floor of rooms, and pounding on each door before racing back to the truck. She jumps in beside me, breathing hard.
Within moments, the doors along the motel start opening. Bleary-eyed people emerge, taking in the scene of deputies, smoke, and fire. Their reactions are immediate and predictable. Some bolt for their vehicles, while others grabtheir belongings and run. A couple argues loudly, drawing more attention.
The deputies are completely overwhelmed now, trying to manage both the fire and the sudden exodus of panicked guests.
"Drive," she says.
I slip the truck into drive and ease out of the parking lot, merging smoothly into the morning traffic.
I ease out onto the highway, watching the rearview mirror until the motel and its chaos disappear from view.
"How did you know to do that?"
Naomi shrugs as if it was nothing, but there's definitely some pride in those pretty eyes. "I looked at that motel and figured that while it's unlikely another couple is on the run from nefarious government forces trying to reveal a dark secret that the government is trying to hide…" She locks eyes with me, clearly as pleased with herself as I am with her. "We weren't the only ones on the run from the law."
"Well done, darlin’." I can't help but smile. Every minute I spend with her, she just gets more impressive. More attractive. Not just beautiful, but quick thinking, resourceful, brave. The kind of partner I would have wanted back in my operational days. The kind of woman I never thought I'd meet.
The kind I don't deserve.
But here she is, sitting beside me, trusting me with her life. And I'm trusting her with mine. It's been less than forty-eight hours since she first held a gun to my head, and now I can't imagine her not being here.
I glance at her profile as she watches the road ahead. The morning light catches in her hair, not lighting it up like when she was blonde, but still turning it golden at the edges.
An idea strikes me suddenly.
I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably in my seat.
