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grope while I had my back turned.”
    Hearing this exchange, Jack put a cup of coffee in front of his wife and used the pot to refill Ellie’s and Noah’s cups. “Mel drop-kicked him,” Jack inserted. “It was a beautiful sight. I think that’s when I really fell in love with her.”
    Ellie grinned widely. “What did you do to him?”
    “I got lucky, that’s all. I took a little self-defense course in college, I didn’t think I even remembered any of it. But he snuck up on me and I just reacted. I threw him an elbow in the gut and then under the chin. One little swipe behind his heels and he was flat on his ass. Sorry, Noah—I meant to say butt. Butt’s okay, right?”
    Noah looked up at Jack. “The women in this place are rougher on the language than the men.”
    “Tell me about it,” Jack said. “We now have a swear jar at home. David’s college education will be paid for and we’ll have a trip to Bermuda by the end of the year.”
    “I might have to put a swear jar in the church,” Noah said.
    “I could teach you that move,” Mel said to Ellie, taking a sip from her cup.
    “Thanks. I have some moves of my own, too. So, this guy—is he dangerous? Or just frisky?” Ellie asked.
    “I don’t think he’s dangerous, but I couldn’t guarantee it,” Mel answered. “I’d hate myself forever if you came to any harm from him. But, as the gossip goes, he’s been slapped down by several women in this town. Too bad Jo Ellen hasn’t hit him over the head with a big club. I can’t believe she puts up with that behavior. Really, she’s such a nice person.”
    “Nick might have ideas all the time, but I think he’s only frisky when he drinks,” Jack said. “His problems usually come up during a party. Most of the time, when the town gets together, they do it here, they have food and drinks, and Nick loses his head.”
    “It’s out of the question, Ellie,” Noah said. “You can’t even consider it.”
    “It could work,” Ellie said. “Mel, would you be willing to introduce me to them, be there when I ask about the room? I’d have to have a look at him, too. See if I think I could take him.”
    “This isn’t happening,” Noah muttered.
    “Sure,” Mel said. “I’m positive he’s still scared of me. I know he’s been slapped, but I hold the sole distinction of taking him down.”
    “And she put a boot on his chest to hold him down while she threatened his life,” Jack said. “I’m telling you, I almost exploded with lust. I had to marry her.”
    Ellie sipped her coffee. “Well, I’m bigger than you are,” she said to Mel. “And I have Mace.”
    “We could try starting with a firm warning,” Mel suggested.
    “You can’t be serious,” Noah said. “You’d rent from a guy who’s a known molester?”
    “Okay, let’s be totally straight here—is this just an idiot who gets stupid and cops a feel? Or has he left a trail of wounded victims in his path?” Ellie asked.
    “So far as I know, he’s a laughingstock,” Mel said. “But there’s no guarantee that wouldn’t escalate. Luke Riordan has some cabins on the river—vacation rentals. Also one-room efficiencies with kitchenettes, but I’m sure they’re more expensive. And from what I hear, he’s done a brisk summer business—full or almost full all the time with early reservations for hunting season.”
    “I’m on a tight budget,” Ellie said.
    “No reason to be afraid of Nick,” Jack said. “I could take you down there and introduce you, threaten to sic my wife on him if he steps out of line.”
    “I bet one knee in the nuts straightens him right out,” Ellie said.
    There was a strange sound from Noah, something of a growl. “I don’t like this idea at all. If this guy got fresh with you, I’d have to deal with him. That wouldn’t be good.”
    “Horsefeathers,” Ellie said. “I can take care of myself.”
    This wouldn’t be the best time to bring up the fact that she was having a tough time doing