The Cherished Wife

Wife 92

A warmth spread through Noelle’s chest, though she tried to sound annoyed. “Really, what will people think, seeing me in here like this?”

“It’s either the cart or the hospital. Take your pick!” Charles challenged her with a choice.

Noelle’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She chose to remain silent.

Sometimes Charles could be so overbearing, Noelle thought. However, in a strange way, his assertiveness was kind of endearing.

Noelle knew Charles was only fussing over her because of her sprained ankle, and she realized that not every guy would be so thoughtful. She bit her lip and sat still in the shopping cart, twiddling her fingers. She was grateful, indeed, but she was also an adult, and being carted around by Charles was just plain

weird.

Out of Noelle’s sight, Charles let a smile creep into his eyes, a fond grin that made everyone else around wish they had someone to look at them like that.

Pushing the cart with one hand and juggling some groceries with the other, Charles noticed Noelle giving herself a little pep talk before she finally peeked up at him. “Need anything else?”

“Yeah, you brought a lot, we still have a few things to pick up,” Charles replied, glancing down at her. Noelle, all curled up inside the cart with those big, doe eyes staring back at him, brought back memories of a fluffy Samoyed pup he used to have. That little ball of fur used to follow him

everywhere. After he moved away from Brookville, however, he could not take the dog with him, and he later found out it had grown old and passed away peacefully.

A shadow passed over Charles’s eyes, yet Noelle caught the shift in his mood and chose to stay quiet, understanding without words.

Squinting playfully, Charles reached out and ruffled Noelle’s hair. “Wanna go faster?”

Noelle made a face and shoved Charles’s hand away. “Look what you did to my hair!” She shot him an annoyed look; however, her irritation quickly turned to alarm. “Charles, what are you doing? Take it easy, will you?”

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Charles was zooming along with the shopping cart, darting across the walkway. Everyone around them stopped to watch the two grown–ups acting like kids.

Caught up in Charles’s playful energy, Noelle’s gloom lifted. She grabbed the edge of the cart with one hand and pointed ahead with the other. “Charles, go faster. Head to the front–I need to get my face wash!

“Got it!” Charles’s smile widened, his eyes twinkling as he caught sight of Noelle’s grin.

Their fun and games, however, landed them in hot water when mall security stopped them and escorted them to a back room. “Excuse me, sir, miss, but you’re causing quite a disturbance in our mall.”

Charles just nodded. “Is there anything else?”

The guard, taken aback by Charles’s nonchalant response, bristled with irritation. “Now, look here, sir…”

“Hold on, it’s all a misunderstanding!” Noelle jumped to her feet, shooting Charles another look before bowing slightly in apology. “We’re so sorry for the trouble. It’s my fault for getting carried away. Please