Who is Sam Waxman, Henry Piper from The Wish Giver: Three Tales of Coven Tree and what is their importance?

Sam Waxman and Henry Piper are rivals for Rowena's affection. Sam is described as hard-working, respectful, wise and patient.... the man Rowena falls in love with. Henry, however, is the glib, superficially charming, manipulative traveling salesman with whom she becomes infatuated. Over the course of the story, Rowena comes to realize the value of the former (i.e. someone who lives a life of honesty, without illusion) over the latter (i.e. someone who lives a life DEFINED by illusion).