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

“This. This is right,” I whispered, and I could feel him nod. He pulled my lips down to his own.


Sometimes we have to treasure the moment—the now—which, really, is all any of us has.Epilogue: A Picnic


Preheat oven to 425F. Rinse chicken parts and pat dry. Put in roasting pan. Melt butter either in your microwave or in a small saucepan. Add in olive oil. Brush this mixture onto all chicken parts, coating generously. Sprinkle salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, and dried herbs over all. Place in preheated oven and roast for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 190F.


Serve hot or cold. (The latter is great at a picnic!)


Chapter 84