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

“Hey, it’s just a little something to pass my time until something better comes along.” I had told her all about the mother and son, and although their sad story elicited some sympathetic clucks from my sister, she was steadfast in thinking this was a bad idea. Mary Beth couldn’t understand why I’d want to sell out my valuable skills and time for peanuts when I could be doing better. And in my heart of hearts, I had to admit she had a point.


But there was something about Jack, his familiarity and my perception that he neededme, that called to me, even if it was against my better judgment, against logic. I had always been a guy who followed his heart over his head. “Besides,” I told Mary Beth, “his mother is a sweetheart. And she reminds me of Mom.”


Chapter 28