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

Last, I set out dessert. I’ve never been much of a baker, so I let Whole Food’s bakery provide an already-made decadent dark chocolate flourless cake.


As I was coming in with my bags, I passed Daisy on her way to her own car, and we stopped to chat for a minute.


Eying my groceries, she said, “Ah. Whole Paycheck. Fancy-schmancy. I need to charge you higher rent, buddy. Us common folk shop at Kroger or Walmart.” She grinned.


“I’m splurging. It’s for a special occasion.”


“My dad and what I think might be his new girlfriend are coming over for dinner tomorrow.”


“How nice. Does he have a lot of girlfriends?”


I snorted. “Hardly! Far as I know, this is the first since Mom passed a few years ago.”


Chapter 67