Free Laura Jo Phillips by Berta's Choice Page B

understand our need is no excuse for behaving in a manner that would ever cause you fear or worry.”
    “I’m afraid that we may not be worthy of you,” Merrick added sadly.  “There are many older, wiser, and better behaved male-sets that are certainly more deserving of a woman such as yourself, Berta Simms.  This we know.  However, we also know that we will never give you up, or give up on you.  If you wish us to wait a hundred years, we shall do so.  We will work every day to become worth of you.  We ask only that you not decide against us just yet.”
    “Not all of the lessons I’ve learned over the past few weeks have been about Clan Jasani,” Berta said.  “I’ve learned a few things about myself, as well.  Enough to know that the path I had set my feet on was not the right one.”
    “Does this mean you want to be with us?” Jerri asked.
    “It means I want to give us a chance,” Berta replied.  “I sense the three of you, feel your emotions.  I felt you on the morning we first met, though it was nothing as strong as it is now.  I know how you feel, the worry and hope you have.  I feel the same way.  I feel other things too, things that I’ve never felt before, and those feelings are somewhat confusing to me.  I want time to explore them, or at least get used to them.”  
    “That’s all?” Merrick asked.  “You want only to get to know us?”
    “To start with, yes,” Berta replied, resolving to be completely honest.  “I do have some concerns still.  They are not about you, but they will impact you, I’m sure.”
    “Can you tell us what they are?” Tor asked.
    “There are still some things afraid of,” Berta said, dropping her eyes.
    “Are you afraid of us?” Jerri asked.
    “No, not of you, not any more,” she replied quickly.  “I’m afraid of being abducted again.  Of being stolen away because of what I am, a berezi .  That’s why I won’t leave the ranch.  I know the Xanti cannot get to me here.” 
    “Your fear is not unreasonable, Berta,” Merrick said.  “But I ask that you remember that you are no longer berezi .  You are now an Arima, our Arima, and therefore not alone any more.  If you were abducted, we would never rest until we found you.”
    “I hadn’t thought of that,” Berta said, a sensation of warmth filling her at his words.  “Not alone,” she said softly.  “It is such an amazing, strange and wonderful thought.”  She smiled brightly at them.  “It may take time to get used to that idea.”
    “You said you had concerns,” Jerri said after giving her a few moments to collect herself.  “More than one.  Will you tell us the others?”
    “I have just begun as the supervisor of Arima House,” Berta said.  “It is a big responsibility for me, the first I’ve ever had, and I do not want to give it up.  Not just yet.”
    “Why should you?” Merrick asked. 
    “I thought that if we...got together...you would want me to leave here, move to Berria with you,” Berta said.
    “For one thing, we would never ask you to stop doing something you so clearly love,” Merrick said.  “Nor do we care where we live.  If we are with you, wherever you are, then we are home.  Besides, you surely know that all of the Arimas who have children now live here, on the ranch.  There is a reason for that.”
    “Because it is the safest place for them,” Berta said with a nod.  “I just wasn’t sure how you would feel about it.  You did mention that your home was in Berria, and that your family lives there.”
    “Berta, look at me please,” Merrick said.  Berta turned her head and gazed into Merrick’s violet eyes, which somehow soothed her by their intensity.  “We want you to be our family, Berta Simms.  We will do whatever we must to win your heart.  We’ll wait as long as you wish, live wherever you want.  Nothing in all of the Thousand Worlds is more important to us than you.”
    “Thank you,” Berta said, hot tears