Defended by a Jaguar (Mate Me Book 4)

8

Georgia spent her week yelling at her supposed lawyer, finishing her painting of the bathroom, and starting on a new proposal for White Valley Publishing. Thursday evening Caroline called to remind her of her girls' night. She'd missed the previous one by working on her book.

Walking up to Roxie's house, she caught sight of a dragon taking off into the sky. He was all red. How did she know it was a he? She didn't. Pausing to think. What if her next set of children's books focused on life as a shifter child? Not just one or two, but a group. She could take inspiration from her own life. Liam was a shifter, but Caroline wasn't sure which one. Somehow Jonas had kept it a secret from Caroline, although their romance had been a whirlwind. Then there was Daisy and Jordan, they were jaguars, who knew who else she would meet.

"Are you going to stand there all night? We've been waiting for you." Roxie stood on the porch, hands on her hips, a smile on her face. She was a plus-sized woman with blond hair and blue eyes. Georgia spied paint on one of her hands and smiled back.

"Sorry, a book idea popped into my head," she admitted and walked up the porch steps.

"No car?"

"Turns out I'm about a half-mile walk. I figured why waste the gas. Plus, I've been cooped up in my house all week and I needed the fresh air," Georgia explained and Roxie laughed.

"Spoken like a genuine artist. Come in, we just opened the wine." Roxie led the way into the house. Georgia stripped off her hat, gloves, scarf, and coat, hanging them on an empty hook by the door.

"Everyone but Evelyn is here tonight. She went into premature labor and is being kept on bed rest," Roxie shared showing her into a gigantic living room. Georgia took in the house around her. They adorned the walls with art she recognized from many artists. There were pictures of babies and a handsome man with hazel eyes. He was nice to look at, but no Jordan. The furniture was a mix of cozy and classic, something she wondered if Roxie and her husband compromised.

"Is she okay?" Georgia asked, she didn't know Evelyn but premature labor sounded bad.

"Yes, just bored. The doctors want her to go another week before they let her have the baby. They want the lungs to fully develop," Roxie explained with a laugh. Evelyn sounded like she didn't enjoy settling down and doing nothing.

"Georgia!" Caroline cheered when she walked in behind Roxie.

"Sit with me," she ordered, patting the spot on the sofa next to her. Accepting the glass of wine from Roxie, Georgia sat with Caroline.

"Let me introduce everyone. You know, Roxie. Next to her is Josie, you saw her on Sunday. Roxie is married to Xander Austin and Josie is married to his brother Rhett. Then the dark-haired one next to Roxie is Ellie. She married Marcus Zephyr. Elizabeth is the other blond, she is Roxie's sister. Everyone this is my triplet sister, Georgia Stevens. She writes a best-selling children's series."

"Which one?" Ellie asked.

"Bethany and Felix," Georgia replied and Ellie smiled.

"Very popular with our first and second graders," Ellie responded.

"I'm happy to hear that." Georgia smiled, sipping her wine, and took Ellie in. She was plus-size like Roxie but shorter with a dark caramel complexion, dark eyes, and long hair.

"I hope I didn't scare you off from Jordan," Josie cut in and Georgia set her glass down, turning to the other woman. She again was wearing a bright dress, this one vibrant orange with a deep v cut neckline.

"I was a little sad, but Jordan found me and explained you were only friends from college," she shared and Josie gave her a surprised look.

"Josie what did you do?" Ellie demanded crossing her arms and glaring at Josie.