“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?