The Cherished Wife

Chapter 98

‘Got nothing to do with me? What are they talking about?‘ Noelle had just stepped out of the kitchen when she overheard Sean’s comment. She stopped in her tracks. The sight of the massive, dark silhouette made her hesitate, and she stayed put.

Arnold noticed Noelle’s reluctance and let out a couple of sad howls, feeling totally rejected. He bounded over to her. Noelle, startled, quickly backed into the kitchen. “No, no, stay back!”

“Arnold!” Charles’s voice was deep and icy, cutting through the air. Arnold froze, his four paws halting mid- stride. He turned to Charles with a look that screamed, ‘I’m hurt.‘

Noelle could not help it. Arnold’s dramatics cracked her up, and she let out a laugh.

That was all Arnold needed. He perked up, howled joyfully, and dashed over to Charles, playfully tugging at the hem of his suit pants. He howled again, this time with a wag in his tail, as if to say, ‘See, she loves

me!‘

Charles surveyed the scene–Noelle, Arnold, and Sean–with his piercing gaze, finally landing on Sean.” How long?”

not long at

so slightly as he turned

think?”

really asking for

Was Arnold the

Arnold had given her quite the scare earlier. She was over the initial shock, but she was not sure if she could really handle having Arnold around. Then there was Charles. It was his house, after all. Why was she being

those big, puppy–dog eyes. “Come on, you can’t just leave Arnold to fend

really that dire? She shot Charles a look, hoping he would offer up some wisdom. Charles, clearly annoyed, shot a glance at Sean before finally giving Noelle a nod. “He’s got a business trip for a week.

awkward laugh, looking at the pair of man and dog both giving her the most heart–wrenching

11

to look after. Just toss

at arm’s length.” Noelle gave a hesitant nod, but then