Melissa McClone - Plain Jane's Prince Charming

“Hello, Mr. Ryder, I mean, Chase.” She sounded breathless. Pink tinged her cheeks. “T-thanks for coming.”

She looked younger, vulnerable and he wanted to erase her apprehension. But knowing what he knew, that wasn’t going to be easy. “You’re welcome.”

“The menu is up there.” She motioned to the chalkboard he’d already read. “I’ll take your order and we can sit down.”

“I’d like the prosciutto and provolone panini and an iced cappuccino.”

Jane’s brows drew together. “Iced cappuccino?”

He nodded. “My favorite drink when it’s warm outside.”

“Mine, too.” She pointed to an empty table. “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll be right there.”

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.”

“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?”