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

At least that’s what I tried to cling to as I set his dinner on the nightstand, gathered up the tray with my stuff on it, and started toward the door. Maybe, I thought, I was rushing things. I had taken my cue from his willingness to go outside as a sign that things were changing. But who knew what that meant? Maybe he sleepwalked and woke up to find himself outside? Stranger things have happened.


As I got to the threshold, he stopped me in my tracks.


I turned, smiling. I hoped he’d changed his mind.


We stared at one another for a full minute at least. In that exchange, somethingpassed. I don’t know if I can rightfully or reliably call it recognition, but our eyes had some sort of communication. There was more there than just glancing at someone.


He broke the spell as the old Jack came back. “What are you waiting for? You can go.”


Chapter 57