Highways & Hostages by Jax Abbey

I think we’ve made good progress for the day. You hungry?” Finn asked.
    Stella nodded. “Hungry and ready for a shower.”
    “I think I see a cozy-looking motel up ahead.”
    “NO MOTELS.”
    Finn’s lips quirked up and Stella grinned in spite of herself. She pointed at a looming billboard for the Las Palmas Boutique Hotel where a happy couple held hands in a tiled courtyard surrounded by brilliant flora. “‘Spanish Colonial charm. Heated pool. Award-winning restaurant,’” Stella read.
    Finn wrinkled his nose and frowned. “That sounds like it’s going to cost.”
    “Can we at least check it out? It’s only two miles away once we take the next exit. Please? Pretty, pretty please?”
    Finn sighed and put on the turn signal. “I’m not making any promises.”
    Stella hid her smile.

    A few minutes later, Finn pulled into the parking lot for the hotel. He and Stella exited the car. He stretched, then led the way into the hotel’s lobby.
    Stella’s eyes widened as she stepped through the automatic sliding doors. Cool fingers of air conditioning caressed her skin, and her pace slowed. Time moved in slow motion as she committed the details of the lobby to memory.
    The hotel lobby was just as the billboard described, decorated to the nines with Spanish Colonial luxury. Arched windows, wrought iron sconces on the honey yellow plaster walls, and candelabras scattered around the room provided the only light. The shadows creeping across the wall tapestries, fine oil paintings, and the stone floor made the space feel intimate and inviting. Stella wanted to take off her shoes and feel the thick pile of the gold and cinnamon carpets that covered the stone floor under her toes. She wanted to curl up on one of the heavy carved walnut couches upholstered in scarlet brocade and take a nap in front of the large, dormant stone fireplace. She didn’t care if she had to steal Finn’s gun and use it against him; they were staying here tonight. After last night, he owed her this.
    Finn seemed to sense her feelings and sighed in resignation. “Let me see what I can do.” He strolled to the desk at the far end of the lobby, leaving Stella alone in the middle of the room. She navigated around the heavy furniture to get a better look at the oil paintings next to the fireplace.
    Finn and the young woman at the desk conversed in low tones, but when Stella heard the woman shriek, “Newlyweds!” She stopped her study of the room’s artwork and immediately joined Finn at the counter. “Excuse me?” she said.
    “You must be Mrs. Gilroy! Congratulations!” the short brunette behind the desk squealed. Her nametag read “Rachel,” and she looked no older than eighteen.
    Stella tilted her head to the side and glared at Finn. He coughed and nonchalantly used his elbow to nudge a sign on the counter that said, “Ask about our newlywed special!” Stella glanced back at Finn, who was smiling winningly at Rachel. Rachel beamed back, waiting for Stella to respond.
    “Yes…thank you,” Stella said. She continued in a halting manner. “Everything has been so crazy. I guess it just hasn’t hit me yet.”
    “Mr. Gilroy was just telling me about how you all decided to take a cross-country road trip for your honeymoon. Is that your ring? Can I see it?
    Stella hesitated, but held her left hand over the counter for Rachel to inspect. “This is your engagement ring, right? It’s gorgeous! But where’s your wedding band?”
    “We’re getting the wedding bands resized,” Finn cut in smoothly. Stella lifted a brow at him. His lies came way too easily; she would definitely be keeping an eye on him.
    Rachel nodded, content with the answer, and let Stella’s hand go. “Well, congratulations again. Let me call and get a room all set up for you two lovebirds. It might take a few moments; we’re a little short-staffed tonight.”
    “That’s fine, Rachel,” Finn said, giving her a gracious smile. “You take all the time you need.”