It only takes a few days for Ollie D'Angelo to lose his boyfriend, his job, and his home. Instead of mourning what he doesn't have, Ollie celebrates what he does: the freedom to pursue his real passion -- cooking. He begins Dinner at Home, a home-catering business, and it takes off.<br><br>Late one night, Ollie catches Hank Mellinger, a streetwise hood down on his luck, about to rob his car. Ollie soon discovers that appearances aren't necessarily what they seem. Hank isn't a criminal caught red-handed, but a hungry young man trying to make a life for himself and the four-year-old niece he's trying desperately to take care of.<br><br>Instead of calling the cops, Ollie offers Hank a job and a way to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Together, they discover they can really cook ... and that their shared passion for food just might lead to a passion for each other.

Dinner at Home

Hank spoke up, “That would be really sweet, Toots. Can you do us some bacon and eggs?”


Ollie eyed him, and Hank could see the question on his face: Toots? Really?But Hank thought giving the girl a nickname might make her feel more a part of things. He could practically count on two hands the number of words she had spoken since coming to them, including the ones this morning.


“Yes, yes, and yes,” Hank said. “Just scramble ‘em up; it’s easier.”


Rose nodded and rushed back inside as if they had been holding her out on the porch against her will.


Ollie turned to Hank. “I’m just glad we don’t have to take her out on calls. I think she’d die of fright.”


Hank nodded. “I’ve seen girls like her before, on the street. I hate to say it, but I’m guessing something very bad happened to her at some point.”


Chapter 38