Laura Jo Phillips by Berta's Choice Read Free Book Online

it was mussed just exactly right.  He reached for his purple jacket, which was lying carefully across the seat beside him so that it would not get wrinkled or creased, and slipped his arms into it.  Then he opened his travel bag and checked himself in the mirror.
    While he was perfecting his appearance, the transport landed on the blue grass of the makeshift airfield and the front passenger door of a black ground-car parked nearby opened.  Sergio closed his travel case and looked back in time to see a young woman with long black hair step out of the car.  She was dressed simply in black slacks and a long sleeved white blouse, which made Sergio smile with satisfaction.  If the locals all dressed like this woman, his edgy clothing would definitely stand out.  Which was, of course, the point.  If the locals dressed the way he was currently dressed, no matter.  He always traveled with enough luggage to adjust his own look so that he stood out from the crowd.
    A few minutes later Sergio reached the foot of the transport steps and walked toward the black haired woman.  He carried his travel case over his shoulder, but left the rest of his luggage for the military types on the transport to deal with.  He had no idea why he’d been required to take a military transport, but as it wasn’t his idea, he saw no reason to lug his own suitcases around because of it.
    “Are you Sergio Farnswaite?” the woman asked him.
    Sergio smirked inwardly as he took in the young woman’s appearance.  Young, fresh, very pretty but, by her dress, clearly reserved and probably shy.  No doubt naive in the ways of the galaxy.  She’d be putty in his hands.  They always were.  He only hoped she was the Princess.  That would certainly make things easier.
    “Yes, I am,” he said with his warmest smile, automatically reaching out to shake hands with her.  “And you are?” 
    The woman looked at his hand with distaste and kept her own hands at her sides.  Startled, Sergio glanced up into the woman’s dark blue eyes and realized he’d made a mistake.  This woman, whoever she was, was far more than she seemed at first glance. 
    “My name is Berta Simms, Mr. Farnswaite,” she said.  “If you will get the rest of your luggage and load it into the trunk, we can be on our way.”
    Sergio turned around in time to see one last suitcase dropped from the doorway on top of the rest of his luggage which was scattered around on the blue grass.  The door slid shut and the transport lifted off before the steps were fully folded up into their compartment.  Sergio turned back around, dismayed, but the woman merely arched a dark, perfectly shaped brow at him.  She opened the door and looked at him over her shoulder. 
    “The sooner the better, Mr. Farnswaite,” she said.  “I have other things to do.”
    “That wasn’t very nice, Berta,” Hope said as Berta entered the car and pulled the door shut behind her.
    “No, it wasn’t,” Berta agreed.  “But that is not a nice man.  He’s the kind of man you have to draw lines in the sand for.  You let him step over it once, and it’s all over.  I don’t want him pushing Lariah around, so I figured it’d be best to start him off on the right foot.”
    “You like Lariah, don’t you?” Hope asked.
    “Very much,” Berta said, looking at Hope in mild surprise.  “I’ve never known anyone with such a generous, kind and gentle spirit.”
    “Yes, just being around her soothes me somehow,” Hope agreed.  “That’s why they call her the Soul of the Jasani.  But if you think the Dracons would allow anyone to push her around, you are very much mistaken.  And don’t forget, delicate little Lariah is a dracon herself, and more than capable of defending herself if need be.”
    “I know,” Berta said.  “I can’t help feeling protective of her though.  Especially now that she’s had those three little boys.  They are so adorable.”
    “Yes, they are,” Hope said, not