The Cherished Wife

After hashing things out, the group split up and headed home. Charles patted his pocket before turning to Steven with a grateful look. "I owe you big time!"

Steven chuckled. "Here I was, thinking you'd be mad at me for giving her a scare." He remembered how Noelle's eyes widened when she witnessed him in action. "Luckily for us, it was me she saw, not you." He paused, then added, "She's got guts, though. She didn't Most people would have lost it in that kind of situation, but not Noelle. She looked a little out of it, but she kept it together otherwise. Steven squinted, his mind drifting to the first time he saw Eloise's face.

budge an inch!"

Charles's brow creased, but he managed to say, "Anyway, I really appreciate what you did today."

"It's late. You'd better sleep," Steven said.

Once Charles was upstairs, Steven fished a pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket. He deftly plucked one out and held it between his fingers, his gaze drifting aimlessly out the window.

were all pretty tough cookies. If Charles had returned that night, he would have been hard-pressed to take on a whole gang, even with his slick moves. It would have been too many fists for just one

that end.

guys did great. Take the rest of the day off!" Charles ended the call, glanced back, and saw Noelle still out like a light. He smiled, tiptoed over, and gently pulled the blanket back over her. He was about to sneak away

I'm staying. I won't leave!" Charles reassured her, settling down on the edge of the bed. He kept one hand

cold for the past few hours. The recent

blinked open her eyes to find Charles propped up by the bed, newspaper in hand, with the morning sun

Charles instantly tuned in, setting aside

onto Charles's hand, she quickly let go, a little embarrassed. "Uh... Why didn't you wake

pushed a few strands of Noelle's hair behind