The Cherished Wife

Chapter 14

“Ms. Shaw, don’t fight it. If you can’t avoid something, then just try to enjoy it. Makes sense, right?” Charles’s gaze held a hint of mystery as he spoke. Noe bit her lip, her fight fading. away.

When Charles felt Noelle’s resistance ease up, he let go of her hand. “Hop in, Ms. Shaw.”

Noelle shot Charles a reluctant look but followed him into the car anyway. Charles flashed a grin. “Buckle up!”

Noelle had barely settled into the car seat when she rattled off her address to Charles, then. clammed up, only piping up to correct his driving once or twice. Charles was not clueless and picked up on Noelle’s cold shoulder. Pulling up to her place, he shot her a look. “Remember what I said before? The offer is still valid, Ms. Shaw. Call me if you’re thinking about it again.”

Noelle bit her lip, “Look at you, Mr. Hoffman. You’re successful, loaded, and the town’s most eligible bachelor. You could snap your fingers and have the ladies of Brookville lining up from here to kingdom come. Why bother with plain old me?”

a steady beat on the steering wheel, then clicked the doors open.

off, as patient as a cat

no from me. I just clawed my way out of a mess, and

say it’ll be a mess when you haven’t even given it a shot?” Charles’s smile was easy. “But it’s late now,

slammed the car door shut and watched Charles’s sleek Cayenne fade into the distance. She held her breath, her face a mask of calm, until she could not see the car anymore. However, as she

sharp pang squeezed

hardly noticed.

black Cayenne,

what had happened and even thought she might resent him.