Plain Jane's Prince Charming

He sat and checked e-mails on his PDA. This afternoon off would cost him workwise and put him behind.

Two minutes later, Jane returned with their drinks and eased into the chair across from him. She’d taken off the apron. “The sandwiches will be ready soon.”

“Nice place in a popular neighborhood.” He took in the surroundings. “You must do a good business.”

“We do okay. Sixty percent of our business comes from the same forty percent of customers,” she said. “We stay busy all day long, but the mornings are the most hectic.”

“Is that when you work?”

She nodded and toyed with her napkin.

“Contrary to what my competitors might say, I don’t bite.”

“Do you nibble?” The pink on her cheeks deepened and she stared into her drink.

“Only sometimes.” Chase wouldn’t mind one now. She was sexier than he’d realized with nice curves that had been hidden by her apron. Yes, he’d been right to come. Chase leaned back in the chair to get a better look. “So don’t worry.”

“Do I look worried?”

“A little.”

Jane’s smile lit up her face. “More like a lot, but thanks for trying to make me feel better.”

He appreciated her honesty. “I’m really not that intimidating.”

“Lunch is served.” Ally placed the plates, each with a sandwich, potato chips and a dill pickle, on the table. “These sandwiches are a recent addition to our menu and are popular with our customers. Enjoy.”

“Thanks,” he said as the woman stepped away.

Jane handed him a napkin. “I hope you like garlic.”

“I love garlic.” He took a bite. “Delicious.”

She seemed to relax and bit into her own sandwich.

“So tell me about your fundraising event,” he said. “How you got involved. What you hope to achieve.”

She patted her mouth with a napkin. “My father was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago.”

“I’m so sorry,” Chase said. “How is—?”

“He died last year.”

Chase struggled for the right words. He couldn’t imagine losing his dad or any member of his family. “That had, still has to be difficult for you.”

Jane nodded. “During his illness, I met other families in situations similar to ours. Spiraling medical costs, little or no health insurance, the financial worries becoming as big a concern as the medical ones. I became particularly close to one family. A single mother named Michelle and her daughter Emma.”

The affection in Jane’s voice made the situation clearer. “They mean a lot to you.”

“They are the only family I have left. We live…I live with them. I met Michelle in the hospital chapel, and we became friends. Best friends. She was concerned about her daughter. I was worried about my father.

“Emma was diagnosed with ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, more than a year and a half ago. There is an almost eighty percent cure rate with proper treatment, but it’s expensive. Michelle doesn’t have any medical benefits with her job and she earns too much to qualify for assistance.”

“So she’s having to pay for this on her own,” Chase said.

“Michelle can’t pay for this on her own.” The passion in Jane’s voice matched the fire in her eyes. “She owes half a million dollars and Emma has months of treatment remaining.”

This wasn’t only about Emma and her mother. He wondered what scars Jane’s father’s illness had left on her. It was none of Chase’s business, but he wanted to know.

Something in Jane Dawson sparked an interest he wanted to explore further. Nothing more than a gut instinct, but that’s why he’d accepted her lunch invitation though common sense had told him to stay away. He’d made millions by trusting his gut over common sense. “Tell me about the fundraiser.”

“I want to throw a dessert benefit to raise money to help pay Emma’s medical expenses.”

“Why a dessert?”

“I figured it would be less complicated than a dinner.”

“True, but that’s a lot of money to raise in one evening.”

“I know I can’t raise the entire amount,” she admitted. “But any amount will help them.”

At least she was realistic about her goals. He respected her drive and determination. Not many people would take on such a task for a friend. “Do you have a location picked out?”

“My boss said we could hold the event here. No charge and she would donate the coffee and tea, but it might be too small.”

Definitely too small.

“Which is why I’m looking for sponsors.” Anticipation filled her eyes. “Would your foundation sponsor the event?”

He’d raised her hopes. Chase rubbed at his neck. He should have told her the truth as soon as he arrived, but she’d seemed so nervous. He’d wanted only to put her at ease. He shifted in his chair. “I spoke with the director of the foundation. Unfortunately we won’t have the resources for another major event until January.”

She blinked. Once. Twice.

Damn. He didn’t want her to cry.

Her lower lip quivered. “I appreciate you taking the time to come here today.”

“I wanted to come.” Chase watched her pretty face and hated to see it crumple. “The foundation will make a donation.”

“T-thanks.”

“And I, uh, I…” All he had to do was write a check and say goodbye. That’s what he should do. That’s what he’d done in the past. Robin Hood, remember. Though leaving would be the smartest move, he couldn’t. Not when the only thing he wanted to do was put a sparkle in Jane Dawson’s eyes and a smile back on her face. “I will sponsor your benefit myself.”

CHAPTER TWO

“YOU’LL sponsor the benefit?” Jane asked, afraid to hope, afraid to breath.

“I will.”

What air remained in her lungs whooshed out. She un-crinkled the napkin on her lap. Talk about finding a knight in shining armor—make that denim.

No, Jane reminded herself, there was no such thing. No matter how much Chase Ryder helped, he was still just a man.

“I’ll provide everything,” he added. “You won’t need any other sponsors.”

Stuff like this only happened in dreams. Jane wanted to pinch herself. The tightness knotting her shoulders disappeared. “I don’t know what to say except thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, the work hasn’t even begun.”

“I’m ready. You won’t be disappointed.” She couldn’t stop smiling. Wait until she told Michelle. Maybe if the event went well, Jane could start a nonprofit group to assist other families. Wait. One step at a time. If she didn’t get her hopes too high, she wouldn’t be hurt. But there was one promise she could make. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this a fantastic event, Chase. I promise you that.”

“Jane.” The way he said her name, his voice low and sexy, made her pulse quicken. Excitement, that’s all. “I’m not just writing you a check. I want to help you organize the event.”

Organize or take over? Chase Ryder didn’t strike her as a follower. “You want to help? Me?”

He nodded. “We can work together.”

Together? He had to be joking. The man ran a major company, no doubt he had dozens of social obligations. But the look in his eyes… “You’re serious?”

He nodded.

Uh-oh. This wasn’t good. Chase Ryder, philanthropist, thought he wanted to help. And he probably did until something more important came along or the workload got too heavy, and she’d be left to pick up the pieces and do it on her own. She didn’t want to go through that again. Jane straightened.

“Wow,” she said, making an attempt to sound enthusiastic. “That’s so generous of you.”

“I just want to help.”

But she didn’t want his help. She didn’t want to rely on anyone else again.

Jane needed him to realize that working together was not a good idea without offending him. She needed him to stick to just being the sponsor of the event. “Don’t you think we might drive each other crazy? It’s hard to work together when you know someone, but when you don’t—”

“I know I can work with you.”

Yeah, because we are so much alike. She managed to keep from rolling her eyes. “We just met.”

“I trust my instinct.”

Ever since her relationship with Mark had ended, so did Jane. Right now her instincts shouted, “Run away, run away.”

“Plus,” Chase continued. “I know what I see.”

“What’s that?”

“Someone with a passion to make this event a complete success.” He stared at her as if he could see inside her heart. “I hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes.”

He had her all wrong. “That’s not passion, it’s panic.”

“Whatever you want to call it, it’s there,” he said. “You know what you want to accomplish and that’s where I come in. I have the contacts, the experience and the money to fulfill your vision. Teaming together makes sense.”

It did. To a point.

She wanted the fundraiser to succeed, but at what cost? He might want control over all the decisions. He could change his mind and walk away. “What about the time commitment? You mentioned putting on an event like this takes a lot of work. You’re so busy with your company, can you do this, too?”

“I’m the boss. I can delegate.”

Delegate or shirk his responsibilities? If he could do that with his work, he might do that with the benefit.

“Besides, aren’t you busy, yourself?” he asked. “You have a job and your own life to live.”

“Well, yes,” she said. “But the extra work is only for a short time. Once the benefit is over—”

“We can both get back to normal,” he finished for her. “I understand the time commitment which is why sharing the workload makes sense.”

Darn. He was right. Jane should say yes and be done with it. This wasn’t about her. She had to think about Emma and Michelle, not herself.

He leaned over the table. “Don’t you want my help, Jane?”

Oh, man. She was going to ruin everything if she weren’t careful. Would she ever learn…? “I—I want your help. I appreciate your offer. I really do. It’s just…”

“What?”

She moistened her lips. Might as well tell him the truth. “You’ve caught me a little off guard.”

“I’m not one for big surprises myself, but sometimes the unexpected is just what a person needs.”

Chase Ryder was the last thing she needed.

But as he continued staring at her, the concern in his eyes seemed genuine. That confused her. He didn’t know Michelle or Emma, yet he wanted to help. Worse, a part of Jane—a big part—wanted his help.

Why was she hesitating?

He was offering her dream come true. And, she realized, her worst nightmare at the same time. Once she agreed, she couldn’t predict or control the outcome. It would be out of her hands. Just like with her father’s cancer. Or Emma’s. That scared Jane.

“I would like your help. I…I probably need it.” What if it didn’t work out? What if you’re not sincere? What if…? “But have you thought this over? I mean, really considered what’s involved in organizing an event? What if something came up and you couldn’t help? Where would that leave…?” Me. “The benefit?”

He reached across the table, covered her hand with his and gave a gentle squeeze. “I won’t let you down, Jane.”

How many times had she heard those words or something similar before? Just once she wanted to believe that someone would follow through. That someone cared enough. That someone wouldn’t leave her alone.

So all alone.

She stared at his hand, large and warm over hers. His palm and fingers were rough, callused, as if he labored outside instead of working in an office. She didn’t mind his touch. She liked it. Uh-oh. Jane tugged her hand away and grabbed her drink.

“So what do you say?” Chase asked.

What other choice did she have? She wanted the benefit to be successful. That was the only goal. She might have the “passion” to put the event together, but she couldn’t do it without a sponsor. She’d be stupid if she said no. “Yes.”

“Great, because I have an amazing location.”

Jane held her iced cappuccino in midair. She should have known. He’d just gotten involved and he wanted to choose the venue. So much for any warm and fuzzy feelings about working together. She might as well get used to it. “Where is that?”

“My winery.”

The cool glass nearly slipped from her fingers. She placed the cup on the table. Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. “You have a winery?”

“In Stafford.”

Better yet. Stafford, an upscale area south of Portland, consisted of rolling hills of green covered with estates, farms, equestrian centers, golf courses and wineries. A benefit there would draw more attention than one at the Hearth. And Chase couldn’t drop his involvement if he hosted it, since his name and reputation would be on the line.

“How many guests can the winery accommodate?” she asked.

Chase raised a brow. “How many do you want it to accommodate?”

Right answer. “And we can just…use it?”

“All you have to do is pick the date.”

This sounded too perfect. And that gave her pause. Nothing could be this easy. “That’s all?”

He nodded. “Surprised?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I hope I don’t sound rude, but what do you get out of this? Publicity for the winery?”

“No.” He thought for a moment. “But that’s not a bad idea. Publicity would help both of us out.”

Until what he needed interfered with what she needed for the fundraiser.

“But all I really want to do is to help a little girl and her mother.” An upside-down V formed above the bridge of Chase’s nose. “What do you get out of all of this?”

“I get to help someone I care about,” she said, feeling guilty for thinking he had ulterior motives. “Someone who’s in no position to do it all on her own.”

“We’re not so different, Jane Dawson.”

She begged to disagree, but couldn’t. Not when his sincere tone told Jane he meant every word. And that meant she had not only found a sponsor, but real help.

Realization that she’d succeeded pummeled her with the force of a howling blast of icy wind from the Columbia River Gorge. She had everything she wanted. Everything plus more.

Thanks to Chase Ryder.

“What?” he asked.

“I…I’m…” Feeling inadequate, yet grateful, she shifted in her chair. Wrung her hands. Tried to remain seated so she wouldn’t run over to Chase and hug him. Not that she wanted to hug him. Just thank him. “Is your name really Kris Kringle?”

“No.” Chase laughed. “Though I dressed up like Santa Claus for my sister’s kids last year.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Jane pictured Chase wearing a white beard and red suit and being surrounded by laughing children, but then she imagined herself kissing Santa, rather Chase. That would definitely complicate matters. Blinking the image away, she resolved to remain strictly focused on the benefit. No more daydreaming and no more handholding. “So when can I see this winery of yours?”

He glanced at his watch. No doubt he had to get back to the office. “How about now?”

She gulped. “Sure.”

Driving south on Interstate 5 with the pounding bass from a rock and roll song filling the Escalade’s interior, Chase glanced sideways at Jane. She stared at the passing scenery—concrete, buildings and billboards—her mouth tightly closed.

So much for putting a smile back on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. He had assumed offering his assistance would do the trick, but that had only upset her more. He didn’t get it. Or her. Most women watched his every move, tried to impress him or boost his ego. But not Jane.

“If you want to listen to something different—” he drove onto the I-205 off-ramp “—let me know.”

“Thanks,” she said. “But this music is fine.”

Another mile went by. Another song played. Jane continued gazing out the window. No forced conversation trying to find common interests. No name-dropping trying to show she belonged in his world. No…anything.

Needless chatter bothered Chase, but he found her silence both refreshing and bewildering. Other women would have talked his ears off. Why wasn’t Jane doing the same?

Sure she wasn’t his usual type. He dated professional women—lawyers, executives, venture capitalists—who weren’t clingy and who had their money, though that hadn’t kept most from wanting his, too. But Jane was still a woman. And he was a man, a rich, handsome man considered to be a “catch” if he believed his own press. Shouldn’t she be flirting with him at least a little? Was she not interested in him or playing hard to get?

He would get the chance to find out.

Maybe that would compensate for the work he’d volunteered for with the fundraiser. He wanted to help the little girl, but now after the reality had set in, Chase had no idea how to make this work. He had projects to oversee, an upcoming merger and a two-foot stack of papers on his desk.

Wait until his best friend found out what he had done.

You’re a sucker for a pretty face.

Sam’s words had been dead-on this time, and he would never let Chase live it down.

“Nice car.” Jane ran her hand along the edge of her leather seat. “It’s more comfortable than my couch.”

He noticed her trimmed but unpolished fingernails. Practical, like Jane herself. “That’s a Cadillac for you, but you should see how it handles off-road.”

“Why would you take a luxury car off-road?”

He picked up the disapproval in her voice. His normal answer “because I can” wasn’t going to cut it. He would settle for the truth.

“I tried a shortcut once and ended up on forest service road then found myself on a logging road.” He patted the dashboard. “It was a little hairy, but the car came through fine. I doubt I’ll do it again, though.”

“Smart move.”

“You’re right.” Finally he had her attention. Good. Now he had to keep it. “That’s why I bought a four-wheel drive truck. And a couple of dirt bikes.”

“How many cars do you have?”

“Six,” he said proudly.

“Six.” She didn’t sound impressed.

“Not counting the dirt bikes, a motorcycle and two race cars.” He focused on the road. A white pickup pulled a horse-trailer ahead of them. “The race cars aren’t street legal.”

“So do you spin a wheel to see which one of the six cars you’ll drive each day?”

He couldn’t decide if she was being sarcastic or humorous. He would try funny. “No, I reach into a bag and pull out a key.”

Her grin reached her eyes, but no sparkle. Damn, he was hoping to get both with one shot.

“You could use a dartboard,” she said.

“My throwing precision would remove the element of Fate.”

“Not if you closed your eyes.”

There. Not quite a sparkle, but he glimpsed a twinkle in her eyes. Something stirred inside him. Something good, but unfamiliar. “Is that what you would do?”

She laughed, and the warm sound sunk into him. “If I thought I had six cars, my eyes would be closed because I would be dreaming.”

The more he learned about Jane, the more he wanted to know. He exited on Stafford Road and turned right. “What do you drive?”

“I take Metro, either the bus or the MAX train depending on where I am, where I need to go and when.” She touched the leather seat once again. “It’s not so bad.”

Not bad at all. Chase wondered what it would feel like if Jane stroked him like that with her fingertips and hand. The scene forming in his mind sent his temperature rising.

She glanced over at him. “Not as nice a ride as this, but it gets me there.”

“With the scrape of brakes and the crunch of bodies.”

“It’s not that crowded, but…” She pursed her lips. “How did you know?”

He hadn’t always driven a Cadillac. “In college, I didn’t have a car so I relied on public transportation.”

“Sure you did.”

“I’m serious.” Chase didn’t want her to think he was patronizing her. “On weekends, I would take get on the Red line at Kendall Square and ride the T, similar to a MAX train, to Park Street. I’d transfer to the Green line and get off at Kenmore Square.”

“Where was that?”

“Boston.”

“Harvard?” she asked.

“MIT.”

Her eyes widened. “MIT?”

“Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”

“I know what MIT is. A top science and engineering school,” she explained. “I just forgot about you being hi-tech.”

“Hi-tech. Guess that’s better than geek,” he said. “Though it makes me sound like a robot or something.”

“You mean a robotic shark that’s not afraid to bite anything.”

“Now that would be intimidating.” He glanced her way. “Except you forgot one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I don’t bite. I nibble.”

She looked out the window and adjusted her glasses.

Chase grinned, but said nothing, enjoying the graceful, yet nibble-worthy curve of her neck.

“What does Cyberworx do?” Jane asked.

“Lots of different things.” He loved talking about his company. “Our newest division has been working with quantum dots, photonic crystals and carbon nano tubes.”

Her eyes glossed over. “I’m not going to attempt a comment.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” she said. “It’s not your fault I’m about as non-technical as they come. Want to know a secret?”

“Sure.” Now they were getting somewhere, but he doubted she would share her favorite places to be kissed. “And I promise not to tell.”

“I don’t own a computer,” she said.

“Not everyone owns a computer.” Something wasn’t adding up about this conversation, and then Chase remembered. “Didn’t you offer to e-mail me information about the benefit this morning?”

“I use the computers at the library.”

This complicated matters. “Do you go there every day?”

“No.”

“I rely on e-mail to get things done,” he explained. “It’s the easiest way for me to keep in touch and contact you.”

“I’ll stop by the library every day and check my e-mail.”

Not good enough. “I have a better idea. You can borrow one of my laptops.”

“Thanks, but um…don’t you need some sort of Internet access or something?”

“Yes.” He recognized the flash of panic in her eyes. No car, no computer, no money. But that didn’t mean she had no pride, either. He understood that. And he was beginning to understand Jane a little better. “But I have a special wireless deal. It won’t cost you anything.”

He waited for her reply. A beat passed. And another. She was going to say no. Somehow he would have to convince her to change her mind. For both their sakes.

“Thanks,” she said instead. “That would make things easier.”

He hadn’t seen that one coming. She had pride, but practicality had won out. “Great.”

“As long as it’s no problem,” Jane added.

He turned left and drove past an alpaca farm. “It’s no problem.”

And it wasn’t. Chase got the feeling working with Jane was not going to be a problem at all especially if they could mix a little pleasure—not to mention nibbling—with business.

As Chase punched in a security code to open the double wrought-iron gates, Jane stared at the grapes growing over trellises in neatly spaced rows behind the stone wall paralleling the road. To the left sat a big building where Chase said the wine was produced. Up on the hillside, sunlight reflected off the copper roof of a grand-size house. At least she thought it must be copper. The structure looked old, built of some sort of stone or brick, like a castle or villa. She leaned forward for a better view.

The gates opened, and Chase drove inside.

Anticipation built. She felt as if she were Cinderella arriving at the castle on the night of the ball. Jane had no idea what to expect and couldn’t wait to see everything. Until she remembered. Once the clock struck midnight it would be all over. She settled back against the comfortable leather seat.

A paved driveway wound up the grape covered hillside. Antique-looking lights were strategically placed along the roadside to illuminate the way at night. As they gained elevation, the house—more like a mansion—came into clear view. Jane gasped. “It’s as if we’ve been transported from Oregon to Italy or France.”