Charity walked into Cromwell’s and was immediately put on edge. The young woman that had been identified as Javier’s cousin was standing at the counter talking to the boy and Cody. Charity smiled shyly as she passed the group then headed to the back of the shop and pretended to look through the various goods there as she waited for Elena.

Elena came into the shop a few minutes later and looked around for her friend. She spotted Charity in the back and waved at her. As she turned to walk to the back of the store she winked at the boys and gave them a brazen look. Josie was shocked at her shocking actions and questioned the boys. Cody explained who she was and tried to explain as tenderly as he could what Elena did for a living.

"I can’t believe you would allow that kind of person in here." Josie said.

"The bordello spends their money here like everyone else." Javier replied. "They’ve never given us any trouble before and they’re good customers."

"Well, has it occurred to you that by letting them shop here, you’re making it easier for them to stay in town?"

Cody shrugged. "They’re not so bad, and they’re actually kind of elegant. I mean I’ve seen some towns with bordellos and they’re kind of sleazy. You can’t even tell the Chateau is a bordello unless you go inside."

Josie looked at him with raised eyebrows. "I can’t believe you’re defending a bordello. If Simon were here, he’d agree with me." Josie looked around the store. "Where is Simon anyway, and why isn’t he ever here when I get here?"

Elena, who had been walking with Charity to the front of the store after giving her friend a pep talk, heard Josie’s question and smiled wickedly. "Isn’t he at the waystation?"

Cody, Javier and Josie all stared at her in disbelief. "Why would he be there?" Josie asked.

"He works there. Well at least he does for the time being, until he gets switched back." Elena replied innocently.

Josie turned to Cody and Javier. "What is she talking about?"

The two young men floundered while they tried to think of a satisfactory answer, when Charity saw this she did some quick thinking.

"Elena is confused. She’s mistaken. Simon hasn’t been switched." Charity said.

Elena frowned. "Yes he was. He was switched with Cody, which would explain why my favorite scent hasn’t been brought in yet even though I have ordered it twice in the last three weeks, and I’ve yet to see it." She said, the annoyance evident in her voice.

Josie’s eyebrows rose. "Well is she right?"

Charity grabbed Elena’s arm and led her to the doorway. "You’re wrong Elena dear. Simon will be in to work any minute now. He hasn’t been switched." She said through clenched teeth.

When Elena was out the door and away from the store a bit, she turned to her friend in confusion. "What was that about? I thought you of all people would have jumped at the chance to spread some gossip."

"Did you see Cody’s face? It’s obvious they were trying to keep the truth from her. I was trying to help him."

Elena smiled broadly. "Well then go back inside and see if you can reap the rewards of helping defend against the big bad harlot."

"Do you think it helped?"

"I’m sure it did." Elena turned to go back to the bordello. "Make sure I’m invited to the wedding." She called ver her shoulder. Charity smiled shyly. She hoped Elena was right.

As Charity came into the store again, she found Josie putting on a shawl. "Where are you going?" Javier asked worriedly.

"I’m going to the Pony Express waystation to see if Simon is there for myself."

Javier groaned and followed her out. Charity smiled shyly at Cody and shrugged her shoulders. She was suddenly very shy.

"I’m sorry about what Elena did." Charity said.

Cody smiled and shrugged. "It’s okay. I didn’t think we’d be able to pull it off for much longer."

Charity nodded and silence descended between them again.

"Was there anything in particular you were searching for?" Cody asked.

"What? Oh you mean in the back of the store. Umm, no nothing ." Charity cursed herself for not being able to talk to him. "I’m surprised you stopped going to square dancing."

"I’ve been looking for Jacy and don’t have the time for anything else."

Charity frowned then masked her features. "I hope that you come back to it soon. I really liked dancing with you. It was a lot of fun."

Cody seemed surprised at her confession and smiled brightly at her. "I’ll think about it."

"I’m glad." She replied. "I better go. I have to get to the restaurant. I’m glad Charlie’s back. Noah was okay, but Clover never got any work done cause she was always fawning over him."