They pulled into the motor lodge, a quaint, quiet place that was reminiscent of the 1960s. It was primarily single-story, in a broken L-shape with the office in the middle, and parking at each door. Behind the hedge of arbor vitae screening it from the highway was a nice-sized pool. Best of all was the fact that things were slow there right now, and there were only a few other cars in the parking lot.
Amanda stopped the van at the office and got out, telling Lee to stay put while she and the boys got things settled. He turned back to his mother-in-law. "She really is something, isn't she? I had no idea at all! I'm so excited, Dotty!"
"Some intelligence operative you are!" Dotty chided him, laughing. "We had a great time engineering this for you, Lee. The weather's supposed to be good, too. It's going to be an amazing week here!" The door of the SUV swung open and Amanda climbed in, bearing three keys. Through the windshield, Lee saw Philip and Jamie heading off to the right, likely to where they would be staying.
"We've got three rooms!" she announced proudly. "Just what I asked for! Mother, you're in #16, and we're in #17, she continued, handing the key to Lee. Dotty smiled to herself. She knew that she had been placed in the middle room so that the boys wouldn't hear the sounds coming from the newlyweds. Amanda started the SUV and moved it carefully into the parking space labeled "17." The boys were waiting there with excitement, ready to start exploring Gettysburg. Lee hopped out of the vehicle and grabbed his wife, folding her into his arms and smothering her with kisses.
"For cryin' out loud, get a room!" Philip exclaimed in fun as he and Jamie high-fived each other. "Philip!" his mother scolded, feigning shock. She handed him the key to room 15 and asked him and Jamie to help everyone with the luggage.
She looked up into her husband's eyes, and he in turn lost himself in hers. A curious expression formed on his face. Jamie, Philip, and Dotty watched as he walked with Amanda, hand in hand, to room 17. The couple disappeared behind the door, and the latch clicked shut resolutely. The three of them smiled at each other, then began carrying their bags to their rooms.