"Whatever you say, love," Ruth sang, trying to sound more comfortable than she felt. This guy was more of a pain to deal with than her husband. More exhausting than frightening, admittedly, but in a sense that was worse. There was no climax, and so he just kept going on and on and on with his petty threats. Even her father seemed to do more work in a day than this weed.

Thank God there was Elijah's cottage. Ruth stepped up to the door and knocked.