Stripe Search: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Furocious Lust Shorts Book 5) by Milly Taiden Read Free Book Online Page A

I love her, Aunt Gabby! It’s so pretty.”
    Gabby smiled at Jill and then frowned at Janie. “Are you okay?”
    Janie shrugged. “You know how it is. Have to pay the bills.” She glanced at Slade and shoved clumps of brown hair behind her ears. “Hello. Sorry for being rude. I’m Janie.”
    “No, no!” Gabby said. “It’s my fault. I should have introduced you guys right away. Jill, Janie, this is Slade. Slade, this is my niece, Jill, and her mother, Janie.”
    Slade shook Janie’s hand and squatted down to get eye level with Jill. “Nice to meet you, lovely young lady.”
    Jill smiled shyly at Slade. “Do you like dolls?”
    “I think dolls are great. Especially when owned by pretty little girls like you.”
    “Hey, Janie,” Gabby said casually, “can I talk to you for a second?” She glanced at Slade, and he nodded for her to go, continuing his conversation with Jill.
    Janie nodded and pulled her inside the apartment, just a few feet away: enough for them to have some privacy for the little girl’s curiosity while leaving Slade to chat.
    Gabby went into her handbag and pulled out an envelope. “I’m sorry about the delay. I know you expected this two days ago.”
    Janie glanced down at the envelope. She took it without saying anything and grasped the paper hard. “I can’t thank you enough for ensuring Joel does his job. Until you came around, he was so irresponsible. Now, he actually pays his child support. He didn’t make any attempt to answer my calls, or even Jill’s, in the past. I’m hoping in time he’ll start calling her.”
    “He’s in a place where he’s getting help, but I will make sure he keeps paying.”
    “Thank you.” Janie threw her arms around Gabby’s neck and pulled back before Gabby got a chance to really hug her. She always felt like she didn’t do enough for Janie and Jill. Ensuring they had the child support her brother should have been paying was something she could help with even if it meant she had to pick up a few extra shifts a month at work.
    “Are you sure there’s nothing else going on? Something you need my help with?”
    Janie sniffled and shook her head, breaking Gabby’s heart a little more. “We’re fine. This helps tons.”
    “Okay, then let me know if there’s anything at all you need.”
    Janie nodded. “Thank you, Gabby. You’re amazing.”
    She didn’t feel amazing. She felt like she should be doing more. She glanced up and noticed Slade watching her intently. Shit. He’d heard their conversation. She’d forgotten all about the shifter super hearing. He spoke softly to Jill and guided her away from the door so the child couldn’t hear the women speak.
    The ride back to her house was quiet. She was distracted with Janie and Jill until Slade spoke. “Why didn’t you tell Janie that you were giving her the child support check? You and I both know your brother didn’t give that to you.”
    She glanced at him on the driver’s side and bit her lip. “Janie is really stubborn. If she knew that I was the one giving her the money, she wouldn’t take it.” She leaned her head back on the seat and sighed. “As it is, I can’t get them to move. I offered my house for them to come stay. Janie says that she won’t burden me. I tried and tried, unsuccessfully, to explain they’re family and never a burden, but it didn’t work. She’s super independent. Will only take the child support because it’s for Jill from Joel. I have to gift Jill clothes and shoes or else Janie won’t take money.”
    “Why is she so set on doing things herself when you’ve offered?”
    “She knows how much I’ve tried to help Joel. She’s seen my struggles with him and refuses to add to my stresses. I think if she’d just get a better-paying job, she’d be able to move out of there and work less hours. It’s just hard, because when Jill needs help, Janie drops everything, and not all jobs are that accommodating.” She cleared her throat and rubbed a