Laura Jo Phillips Read Online Free PDF Page A

possible.”
    Aisling felt a leap of excitement race through her, and her hands clenched into fists before she could prevent it.  She was surprised and confused by her reaction. 
    “No problem,” Karma said casually, leaning forward on the sofa and blocking the Gryphons’ view of Aisling.  Clearly Karma thought she was afraid rather than excited, but that didn’t change her protective intentions, or how much they meant to Aisling.  “Neither of us brought much luggage with us, so it won’t take us long to pack.”
    Aisling forced herself to relax her hands.  When she was sure she was fully composed she rose to her feet, stiffening her spine in an effort to control her limp as best she could.  For some reason, she didn’t want these men to see just how bad her limp was.  Which made zero sense to her.
    “Come on, Karma,” she said, pleased that her voice sounded calm.  “Let’s go pack.”
    Karma rose at once and turned to face Aisling, her back to the Gryphons. 
    “After you,” she said.  Aisling had to fight back sudden tears at Karma’s understanding.  She turned and began walking out of the room, Karma close behind her, hiding her from the Gryphons’ view as much as possible.  Aisling knew that Karma could not really hide her, but she made the effort, and that meant the world to Aisling. 
    Once they were out of the living room and several feet down the hall, Aisling paused and turned to face Karma.  “Thank you,” she said simply.
    Karma shrugged.  “You’re welcome,” she replied.  “Let’s get our things together.”
    “Before we leave, I’d like to take a moment to say goodbye to the babies,” Aisling said.
    “Me too,” Karma agreed. 
    “Hold on, you two,” Berta said as she shuffled into the hall after them, leaning heavily on her cane.  “I have something for you.”
    Karma and Aisling looked at Berta in surprise.  She didn’t own any more than they did, so they didn’t know what she could possibly have for them.  
    “What?” Karma asked as they followed the older woman down the hall and into the guest room she had been using.   
    “I’ve been working on a gift for each of you girls,” Berta said as she opened a drawer in the tall chest of drawers.  She removed two items, one the same shade of olive green as Aisling’s eyes, the other the same dark gray of Karma’s eyes.  She unfolded the green garment and shook it out before holding it up so that they could see that it was a v-neck sweater with bell sleeves. 
    Aisling had seen Berta working with two long stick-like objects and green yarn, but as she personally did not want to answer questions, she made a point of never asking them of others.  Now she realized that Berta had somehow made this garment.  She reached out and ran her fingers lightly over the subtle, but intricate pattern of leaves and vines that were a part of the texture, and gasped with awe.
    “This is beautiful,” Aisling said.  “You made this, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, I did,” Berta replied.  “It’s almost a lost art now, but my grandmother loved it and she taught me when I was a child.  I wanted to give each of you young ladies a gift for helping to free me.  It isn’t much, but I put a lot of my heart into it, if that counts for anything.”
    “That counts for everything,” Aisling said softly as she admired the intricate detail.
    “They’re gorgeous Berta,” Karma added as Berta offered Aisling the green sweater, then held up the gray one.  Karma’s sweater had a round neckline, fitted sleeves and a pattern of stars with fine silver threads scattered here and there.  “I will treasure this always,” she said as she accepted the sweater.
    “As will I,” Aisling said.  “Thank you so very much, Berta.”
     “I’m glad you like them,” Berta said with a pleased smile. 
    “No, we love them,” Karma corrected as she bent to give Berta a hug.  “It’s hard to believe you made these with two little