QUOTE : Honey, what happened to your arm?” Rita frowned, reached over, and ran her fingers across the bruises. “Both of them!” she added, noticing the other arm. The sleeves of her cover-up had ridden up. Meridith pulled them down. “Oh. It’s nothing. A guest caught me by surprise last night.” “What? Did he attack you, Meridith?” “Sort of, but Jake came and, well, kind of punched him, and everything’s fine now.” “Jake . . . ?” “The contractor I told you about.” “Oh, right. Thank God he was there! Did you call the police?” “No. Jake booted him and his friends from the house.” “But are you okay? You must have been terrified!” Meridith nodded. “I was. I was so relieved when Jake showed up. It was late at night, and I was alone on the beach—won’t do that again.” She gave a dry laugh. “I’m just glad you’re okay. This Jake guy seems like quite the hero.” She’d only vocalized what Meridith had been thinking. “We’re lucky to have him around.