The Cherished Wife

Wife 91

“Oops!” Noelle carefully put back the extra items she had grabbed, “So now we… Ouch!”

Before Noelle could finish her sentence, she was jolted by a shopping cart that a customer had accidentally let go of. The cart had come out of nowhere, and even Charles, with his ninja–like reflexes,

could not catch it in time.

Charles, with a swift move, pulled Noelle out of harm’s way, but the cart clipped him, causing his ankle to

twist.

Noelle inhaled sharply, the throbbing pain in her calf forcing her to clench her teeth.

Charles caught the pained look on Noelle’s face and quickly shoved the cart aside, crouching down to massage the spot where she had been struck. “How are you? Does it hurt much?”

The spot where Charles’s hands were was tender, but Noelle shook her head. “I’m fine, really!”

“Are you sure you’re okay? I’m so sorry!” A woman, clutching her child, hurried over, her face awash with remorse. “I was watching my little one and didn’t see the cart get away from me. I’m terribly sorry. Are you sure you’re not hurt? Maybe we should check it out at the hospital?” Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

The lady realized her mistake and kept checking on how Noelle was doing.

Noelle glanced up and gave the lady a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, really. No hospital trip needed.”

“Are you sure?” At that moment, Charles stood up, his tall figure casting a protective shadow over Noelle. The lady caught sight of Charles and was momentarily spellbound by his striking looks.

She had never seen anyone so breathtaking before. She was so captivated that she forgot to move, not even noticing her own child’s cries.

Charles gave a slight frown and shot a quick, displeased look at the lady.

Noelle gently pulled on Charles’s hand. “Hey, I’m okay, see? I’m all in one piece!” She was worried Charles might get upset, and the lady wouldn’t be able to handle it. Noelle shifted her leg a bit to show him she was really alright.

Charles’s eyebrows knitted together, and he looked like he wanted to say more. Noelle, however, shook her head. “Come on, I’m starving, and we’ve still got shopping to do!”

Limping slightly, Noelle led Charles away. The lady took a moment to snap out of her daze, her cheeks flushed as she watched them go.

Charles knew Noelle was downplaying her pain. This tough little lady was pretending she was just fine. However, seeing her limp, he could not help but pull her to a stop.

Noelle gave him a puzzled look, not sure what he was getting at. “What’s up?”

Charles suddenly scooped Noelle up into his arms, causing her to yelp in surprise as she instinctively clung to his neck. “Hey! What are you doing? Let me go!”

Blushing, Noelle stole a glance at Charles, then at the crowd that had gathered to gawk. Their suggestive stares made her cheeks blaze even hotter. She lowered her gaze and fiddled with the cuff of Charles’s jacket. “Why did you pick me up? Come on, put me down… Hey! Why are you dumping me in a shopping

cart? I’m not a little kid ante!”

Noelle’s face turned beet red as she found herself sitting in the cart, as red as a lobster. She could feel her ears burning up. She tried to climb out, but Charles gently yet firmly pushed her back down.

“Hey!” she protested.

Charles’s fingers gently pressed against Noelle’s arm as he towered over her, a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Stay put. You wouldn’t want to hurt your legs, would you?”