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

I sighed. Not again. Not this again, please. We came so close.


I stared down at the remains of our dinner for a while. Jack had cleaned his plate! I laughed but felt no joy.


I went to him. I tried the door, but he had not only slammed it but also locked it. I jiggled the doorknob.


“Jack? Please don’t do this. Can I come in?” I knocked. Knocked again.


But the only response I got was the TV volume going louder. I almost stumbled back to the kitchen, my footing and emotions both unsure. What had just happened?


Chapter 66