They were on Highway 40, in the middle of nowhere of West Texas. Wind blown dust that just didn't stop. They weren't even in a comfortable GSA issue car but in the Brogan's old Ford Taurus.
Molly unwrapped another protein bar, tossed it in a trash bag and wadded up the wrapper and tossed it back onto the pile in the back seat. "Next time, we're flying."
Sean unwrapped a beef summer sausage and took a bite out of it, then dumped it on the reject pile. "Our cover has to be perfect. We're a pair of refugees who have been 'improved.' Our car must have the mess that comes from two protein starved people making hard time on the road."
She pulled out a white binder with a ribbon on it. "I can't fault your attention to detail. This wedding album is incredible."
He nodded. "A woman could leave behind her home, her furniture, her clothes but not her wedding album."
"Yes." She was surprised a man like Sean could understand that. She kept staring at the album, completely enchanted. "It looks so real." Just the way she had always imagined her wedding would be. To see herself, standing with him, toasting with him, surrounded by people who looked like her family.
He smiled. "Only the best." Then he turned and caught himself. "For an operation like this. It has to be perfect."
Eventually he pulled into the Texas Sunrise motel and rented a room with one double bed from a bored looking East Indian woman behind the counter.
The room was small. Sean brought in their baggage. Molly was already on the bed, taking off her blouse and slacks. She was exhausted by the long road trip. Sixteen hours straight driving. She usually slept in the nude, but remembered to stop at the bra and panties. "It's going to be a tight squeeze."
Sean looked her up and down, admiring every inch. "I've bunked in a lot worse."
"Sorry. No hanky panky."
"I'll be good."
The bed was tight. He lay there on his side, worrying and wondering. She dozed off, snuggling next to him. She felt so wonderful, her chest softly pressed into his back. Her scent was marvelous, the smell of a woman that had for once not let civilization's chemicals destroy nature's perfume. As much as he wanted to, he didn't. He didn't want to let a moment of pleasure destroy a world of possibility.