“So what can I help you with? I’m not doing any more heavy lifting.” He snickered.

“No. Nothing like that.” Ellie went on to explain about the social-status mothers bringing their children to the center and letting them run wild.

“Oh, I know the type.”

“Yes. They buy two bottles of chardonnay, salads, sit on the patio, and ignore their kids. They run all over the place. It’s like Chuck E. Cheese.”

Nathan let out a bellow. “And I imagine that’s not too popular with visitors.”

“Oh, you are not kidding. Last week one of the little brats practically knocked a woman over. She didn’t get hurt but she was very annoyed. And I don’t blame her.”

“So what do you need from me?

“A good friend suggested I hire a security guard.”

“But you have the most sophisticated system in the county.”

“I do indeed. But it’s not so much about security as it is about intimidation.”

“Ho. Ho. Ho.” Nathan’s deep voice was reverberating in the way Ellie remembered. “If I am hearing you correctly, you want me to wear a uniform and look authoritative.”

“Bingo. As U.S. Marshal Gaines pointed out, there is nothing like a large man with a badge to keep the little rug rats from wreaking havoc. I don’t want to keep anyone from enjoying the center, including the lushes, but they are very dismissive of their children.”

“Don’t they all have nannies?”

“Even a nanny needs a day off, so the mommies come here with their children and expect the center to be their nannies.”

“Gotcha. So what do you want from me besides my brawn and good looks?” He snickered.

“Would you be interested in working here a few days a week? I’ll pay you well, you’ll get free lunches from the Blonde Shallot, and all the pastry you can eat from the Flakey Tart. Of course, the same goes for the Cheese Cave.”

“Hmmm. I think you had me at Flakey Tart.” Nate laughed.

“Can you come over and we can work out a plan?”

“You free today?” Nathan asked.

“For you? Absolutely.” Ellie was elated. “We’re closed to the public today so you’ll be able to get a good walk-through.”

“Sounds good. I can be there in an hour. Does that work for you?”

“Perfect. Just ring the front buzzer. I’ll be in my office or my cell will notify me that someone is at the door.”

“You got it. See you shortly.”

Ellie was delighted for a couple of reasons, not the least of which was seeing her loyal friend and farm supervisor again. The second was that she might have solved an annoying problem. And third, it would be nice to have Nathan around again. She missed seeing him every day.