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"Wait!" said Charlie. "They mean well. I can't just run from them. They're here because of Wallace Shipley."

"It's against my better judgment, but you're the boss," sighed Kevin, reluctantly getting out and helping Charlie onto her crutches.

"Welcome back, Charlotte!" greeted one woman, handing her a bouquet of daisies with a card reading, "Get Well Soon."

"Thank you," smiled Charlie, graciously accepting the flowers.

"Could I have your autograph?" shouted another.

"I love you, Charlotte!" cried a male fan, running forward and tearing a button off her blouse.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kevin whisked his client away from the crowd and shoved her into the car. So abrupt was the procedure, that Charlie left one of her crutches behind. An eager fan snatched it up, and later sold it on the Internet to a collector in Japan. Charlie's ankle pained her a little, for Kevin hadn't the time to be gentle with her.

"I shouldn't have let you talk me into it," said Kevin, reproaching himself.

"I'm sorry," whimpered Charlie. "I thought I could handle it."

Kevin negotiated through the traffic, but more vehicles were flooding into the neighborhood, to see Charlotte Overholt, and to maybe get a glimpse of her famous fiancé. As they passed other cars, people would slow down to a stop and stare at Charlie, wondering if she was who she looked like she was.

"Put this over your head," instructed Kevin, handing his jacket to the teenager. "Keep your face down, and don't look out the windows."

After a lot of honking, Kevin was finally able to extricate themselves from the crowded streets of Twin Yucca, and down the long road that led to the interstate.

"Where are you going?" asked Charlie.

"I don't know, just away from here," Kevin replied, checking his rear view mirror for anyone who might be still following them.

"I don't understand," groaned Charlie. "Why is everyone making so big a deal over me? I'm not Wallace Shipley!"

"You're picture has been all over the media because of the rescue," reminded Vera from the back seat. "And, if you remember, it's gotten worse ever since the Christmas special aired last December, because more people are likely to recognize you. Adam is a public figure, and now you are too. It's something you're going to have to learn to live with."

"Are we being followed?" asked Charlie, timidly.

Kevin checked and nodded his head in the affirmative.

"After I shake these guys, I'm going to check you into a motel in Palm Springs," said Kevin. "After a day or two, it'll probably be safe to go back home."

Since the women didn't have a better idea, the bodyguard followed through with his plan. He checked them in, and then got an adjoining room, so he could keep a guarding eye on Charlie. Vera called Mrs. Jacobs and explained why they had to leave, all the while apologizing for their sudden departure, for Mrs. Jacobs had planned a big dinner in their honor. Under the circumstances, they wouldn't be able to attend, but the neighbor graciously said she understood. Shirley and Thomas had also been present, waiting to see Charlie, when Kevin had carried her off.

"Well," said Mrs. Jacobs, "since you can't come here, perhaps we could come there. I could bring some of the dishes I've already prepared, and we could have lunch in your motel room."

"I wouldn't want to inconvenience you," replied Vera.

"Not at all!" cried Mrs. Jacobs. "It's the least I can do, after everything you two have been through lately!"

An hour later, Mrs. Jacobs, along with Thomas and Shirley, and Jeff and Maggie, knocked on their motel door. Kevin cautiously let the group inside, keeping a careful lookout for anyone who might have followed them. Charlie was sitting on the bed, her foot elevated on a small pile of pillows Vera had arranged for her. She looked up in surprise as Maggie rushed forward to greet her friend.

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