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

Seeing Maisie at my door was disconcerting and almost surreal.


“Are you gonna let her in or what?” Dad said out of the corner of his mouth. “Looks like she’s got a pan for you.”


I hopped from the table and opened the door. Ruth jumped from the couch to see who had come to call.


“Maisie! Hi.” I stepped back to let her in and keep the cold air out.


We stood there, a little awkwardly, for several seconds, while Ruth sniffed at Maisie’s legs and then looked up at her as though to say, “Well, aren’t you going to at least scratch me behind the ears? Say I’m so ugly I’m cute?”


Maisie handed me the Dutch oven so she was free to squat down and give Ruth some love, which Ruth ate up, just like the pork chops and mashed potato scraps she’d had earlier. My father had scolded me for feeding the dog from the table.


Maisie looked up. “You left that at our place, and I thought I should get it back to you.”


“Oh, you didn’t have to come all the way over here. I have two of ‘em, anyway.”


Chapter 38