Personal chef Beau St. Clair, recently divorced from his cheating husband, returns to the small Ohio River town where he grew up to lick his wounds. Jack Rogers lives with his mother, Maisie, in that same small town, angry at and frightened by the world. Jack has a gap in his memory that hides something he dares not face, and he’s probably suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Maisie, seeking relief from her housebound and often surly son, hires Beau to cook for Jack, hoping the change might help bring Jack, once a handsome and vibrant attorney, back to his former self. But can a new face and comfort food compensate for the terror lurking in Jack’s past? Slowly the two men begin a dance of revelation and healing. Food and compassion build a bridge between Beau and Jack, a bridge that might lead to love. But will Jack’s demons allow it? His history could just as easily tear them apart as bring them together.

Dinner at Jack's

“Get outta here! You’re family. And she won’t mind. Why? Because I say so! Besides, you won’t think I’m so nice when you see your digshere.” She laughed at her wit and mockery of my use of the ill-considered term. “You’ll be having Justin Bieber nightmares every night.” She laughed some more.


“I can hardly wait.” I started up the car. We said our good-byes. I signaled, pulled out into traffic, and headed toward my sister’s.


The motion awakened Ruth, who got herself up to a sitting position, snorted, and said, “I knew you couldn’t be serious about that place! What a dump!” 4: Everything-but-the-Kitchen-Sink Minestrone


Everything-but-the-Kitchen-Sink Minestrone


1 cup diced potato (peeled or unpeeled, your choice; I like the skin)


1 medium zucchini or yellow squash, diced


1 cup fresh green beans, ends trimmed and halved


Chapter 9