"That's funny, because you affect me the same way—I haven't felt so much at peace in a long time. It's good to feel like this for a change."

As Kevin had predicted, the further they traveled the clearer the weather became, until, two hours later, they could see the bright stars shining through the clear night's darkness. Kevin drove with his arm over her shoulder and she soon fell asleep, lulled by the comfort and warmth of his closeness.

She felt Kevin nudge her awake gently and began yawning and stretching with pleasure. The sky was still dark but she could see dawn breaking over the horizon. "Where are we, and why did you let me sleep all night while you drove?"

"Near Las Cruces, New Mexico. You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn't have the heart to wake you up. Besides, I drove at a pretty fast clip, sure that the police have better things to do tonight than chase after a pair of desperadoes like us. You hungry? I'm starved. There should be a very nice restaurant just up the road, at least that's what all the signs for the last ten miles have been promising."

"I'm hungry, too, but I feel filthy and would like to wash up and put on clean clothes. I've been wearing these for almost twenty-four hours."

"Your wish is my command. Actually, this restaurant is part of a motel, which they have been advertising as having clean beds and showers. We can check in and catch a few hours' sleep in clean and comfortable beds."

"Sounds good. But first lets fill our poor empty stomachs with a hot meal and a few gallons of coffee."

The food at the restaurant was just as delicious as the signs promised, and while Nora drank another cup of coffee, Kevin walked over to the motel's office and rented two connecting rooms. She joined him while he unloaded their luggage and surprisingly, without feeling embarrassed despite the fact that he had opened the connecting door, she walked to the bathroom after undressing. He thought that nothing was strange about her openness and comfort in his presence, glad that she had trusted him to such an extent. Doing likewise, Kevin showered very quickly and, after putting on a pair of shorts, was asleep by the time Nora peeked through the door after taking a long and refreshing bath.