The Cherished Wife

Rowena was the first to lose it once they were out of the mall, bursting into laughter. "Oh my gosh. Did you guys see Winter's face? It was priceless. I couldn't stop laughing!"

She went to give Sean a friendly pat on the shoulder but realized he was way too tall, so she turned to Noelle instead. "But I'm totally lost. What was that whole act with Mr. Smith all about?" Noelle arched an eyebrow and casually took Rowena's hand off her shoulder. "We're just playing a part!" She turned to Sean with a questioning look. "Where's Charles? You said he was coming, right?"

Sean arched his eyebrow too and made a couple of tsk-tsk sounds, putting on a pitiful face. "Come on, do you have to be just like Charles? You're so distant! Remember, I'm the one who just helped you out. That Charles is acting like a scaredy-cat. He's too chicken to show up, so he made me fill in for him!"

Noelle could not help but laugh when Sean talked about himself that way. Before she could say anything, Rowena jumped in, "Oh, so you can admit you're just a fill-in!"

Sean scowled. "Hey, that's not very nice of you to say!" However, he grinned. "You did act pretty brave back there, though!"

stood up straight, thumping her chest proudly. "Well, of course! Who do you think I am? But seriously, I've only been gone a

After they were settled in, he slid into the driver's seat and glanced at Noelle next to him. "Charles and the

fired up the engine, and they were

Lounge was a good distance away, and Sean had obviously made a beeline to get there. "How did you

tailed before, and that last close call must have spooked Charles into

off Charles when they saw Noelle clashing with Winter and the ladies? Sean was

and Teresa looked puzzled in the backseat like they were trying too figure out a riddle. Curious as they were, they seemed to understand that some things were better left unknown and

did pique Noelle's curiosity. "When did Eloise get

and Eloise whom she had met a few times, was always the picture of serenity-hardly the