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

“That sounds like a great idea!” Maisie exclaimed. “Doesn’t it, Jack?”


“What are you gonna charge for this sample?”


“Nothing at all. This is a trial run, part of the hiring process.”


“Well, if it’s free, I suppose we can do that.” Jack removed his gaze from me, picked up the remote next to him, and started House Huntersup again.


I looked to Maisie. “I guess that means we’re done here.”


Jack snorted. Maisie sighed. “C’mon. You want a cup of coffee?” And Maisie led me out of the room.


As she closed the door behind us, the volume on the TV went up to ear-splitting.


Back in the kitchen, Maisie grabbed the carafe from the Mr. Coffee on the counter and began filling it from the tap. I took a step toward her.


“You don’t need to do that for me. I’ve already had three cups this morning. Any more and you’ll be scraping me off the ceiling.” I scratched my chin. “Besides, I should be heading out.”


Chapter 24