Christmas With Hover Hill

by Risner, Fay

  You know I've never met a woman your age yet that wasn't something of a romantic. You maybe haven't given romance much thought for a while, but I'll bet you're as much a romantic as any other woman,” Bud assured her.

  “I don't know how you can possibly tell.”

  Bud said, “Let me give you the romance test, and then we'll both know for sure.”

  “I don't think so,” Elizabeth protested, wondering what the test could possibly consist of.

  “My test is just a few questions. That's all. Number one is do you cry at movies that have sad endings?”

  “I used to. Now I avoid movies like that if I have any idea how they're going to end. I don't like feeling sad for no good reason,” Elizabeth answered.

  “Do you like to read paperbacks that have romantic endings? You know, the kind where the guy talks the girl into marrying him?”

  “I read a book like that once in a while. As long as I have to read classics for my job, I can't afford to indulge in a romance book too often. If I read one, I do like it to have a happy ending.”

  “I already knew the answer to that question. Robot told me about the romance books he found on your desk at your apartment.”

  Elizabeth defended herself by holding up a finger. “One book! Just one book he found on my desk. If he said differently, Hover exaggerated. Wait until I talk to him.”

  Bud pressed on, “When you watch a movie where the sweethearts have to say good bye and go their separate ways, how does that make you feel?”

  “My Heavens! I wish I knew what you're getting at. I guess if I had a word for my feelings I'd say wistful for the couple. I'd hope they get together again.”

  “What do you think of weddings?” Bud asked.

  “I haven't been to one lately. My friends are happy just dating. I guess I'd say I've gotten teary eyed when I see how happy the bride and groom were. Most women do. That's natural,” Elizabeth excused. “Now what good are all these questions?”

  Bud smiled at her. “So I can tell you that you just passed the romance test with flying colors. Relax, Lizzy, and enjoy the mood when it hits you. It will one of these days. You remind me of Sleeping Beauty waiting for Prince Charming to wake her up with a kiss.” Bud gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek as if he was afraid he'd cause her more pain. “I got to go feed the cows. See you bright and early Christmas morning.”

  When he was safely out of hearing, Elizabeth yelled, “Hover!”

  “I have good audio transmitters. You do not have to shout,” he droned from the kitchen doorway.

  “They might not work as well after I get through bopping you up side the head,” she raged.

  “You are angry with me.”

  “Angry isn't the word for it. As soon as I get done talking to you, I'm going to go hunt a screwdriver.”

  “Oh good, I will have a little reprieve then since you can not walk well yet,” Hover droned dryly.

  “I want you to tell me what you said to Bud to make him go at me like that just now with his romantic test?”

  Hover shrugged his shoulders. “You heard him right. I said you did not feel like you could be romantic.”

  “I don't know why you thought it was any of his business or yours how I feel about romance,” Elizabeth groused. “That is the last time I'm going to confide in you if you're going to repeat what I say to everybody.”

  “I did not repeat that statement to everybody as you say. Only to Farmer. I thought he might be interested. Give his questions and your answers some thought. Maybe you will come up with the answer to the question about what could make you feel romantic on your own,” Hover said sagely.

  “You didn't tell him his sister came here, did you?”

  Hover shook his head slowly sideways. “No, I forgot about that with my concern over your health scare.”

  Elizabeth warned, “I don't want Bud to know his sister was here unless she wants to tell him. You got that straight.”

  “I have,” Hover droned and quickly backed out of her sight.

  Elizabeth yelled after him. “You better do as I say, or I'll go get that screwdriver even if I have to crawl to it.”

  From the kitchen came a loud, vexed drone.

  Chapter 11

  Elizabeth gave a negative shake of her head as she looked down at the blue sweater and gray wool slacks combo.

  “I sense that something is wrong,” Hover stated.

  “I just don't think this sweater is going to work with these slacks. I'm going to change into a different sweater. One that is more festive,” Elizabeth said as she rushed down the hall.

  “Now! Farmer will be here any minute,” Hover warned.

  Elizabeth stopped. “I'll hurry. Are you sure you don't want to go with us?”

  “I am sure. I will power down and wait for you to come back,” Hover assured her.

  “Fine. Fix some sandwiches for Bud and me to eat before he goes home. We probably won't be very hungry. He tells me his sister goes all out to fix a big spread for holiday meals.”

  While Elizabeth changed, Hover stood watch at the window. In a few minutes, he called, “Farmer is here.”

  “From her room, Elizabeth yelled, “I'm coming. Let him in for me.”

  “Beth, you should check out the hundred years old conveyance he's driving before you say you want to ride any where with that crazy man.” Hover answered the knock on the door. He glanced over Bud's shoulder. “Did your truck break down?”

  “No, it didn't,” Bud said tersely.

  “You must have run out of gas if you are desperate enough to drive that.” Hover nodded toward the driveway.

  “Hover, let Bud in. It's cold out there,” Elizabeth scolded, still worrying about her clothes. She hoped her bright pink, turtle neck sweater went better with the gray slacks. She didn't have time to change again.

  Hover came close and whispered, “I'm telling you Farmer expects you to ride in this cold weather in a hundred years old conveyance. Now I know for sure I will not go with you. You should think about your safety before you leave here.”

  “Hover, I don't know what you're talking about.” Elizabeth walked to the door. In the yard was a two seat red sleigh with a white pin stripe running along the middle. Golden bells dangled from the sleigh. Harnessed to the sleigh were two glossy black horses. “A sleigh! Bud, did you come in that?”

  “Yip, you like it?”

  “I like it very much. Hover, I think this is the perfect way to travel on Christmas day,” Elizabeth said joyously, slipping on her winter garb.

  “I hope you dressed warm enough. You might get sick if you get chilled in the open air,” Hover worried.

  “I've taken care of that,” Bud assured him. “I brought a bunch of blankets.”

  “Besides, the sun is shining, and this will be a short ride. You know it isn't far to Wickenburg,” Elizabeth added to humor Hover.

  He headed for his stand down spot. “I'm going to power down now. Beth, just be careful in that thing.”

  Bud let Elizabeth go down the steps ahead of him. He whispered in her ear, “Does Robot want to go with us?”

  Elizabeth giggled. “He said he didn't. After he saw your conveyance, as he called it, he was adamant that he was staying home. He even cautioned me to be careful.”

  Bud helped her into the sleigh before going behind the sleigh and climbing in. He reached into the back seat for two blankets. He handed them to Elizabeth. “Spread these over our laps. If you need more, help yourself. There is plenty stacked behind us. Robot will never let me hear the end of it if I let you get sick.”

  For awhile, silence hung between them as they enjoyed the ride. The brisk wind tumbled the snow over the road. The sleigh bells tinkled in rhythm with the clopping of horse hooves, and the runners crunched on the snow packed ground.

  When they reached the highway, Bud turned the horses onto the shoulder so the sleigh could slide along in the packed snow. The brisk breeze whipped Elizabeth's hair, causing her to shiver. Goose bumps popped
up on her legs as she tucked the blankets tighter around her lap.

  “You're sure quiet,” Bud said. “Don't you like the ride?”

  “I do. This is fun. I'm worried that maybe I'm doing the wrong thing by coming with you to your family's holiday celebration. I'm not so sure Susie likes me. My presence may spoil the festive mood for all of you.”

  “Stop worrying. I had a talk with my sister. She is fine with you coming. Fact is, I told her if she didn't treat you nice we'd leave. If you weren't happy, I wouldn't be, either.”

  Elizabeth's mouth fell open. “You didn't say that to your poor sister?”

  Bud gave a slight nod. “Yip, I did.”

  “Susie might not warm up to me for sure now. Before we get to Susie's house, tell me about Susie's family so I know them a little better,” Elizabeth said.

  “Well, let's see. Frank Davidson is a good old boy. His parents were teachers at Wickenburg High School for years. Frank is an only child. He was born and raised here. His parents have passed away so Susie likes to make sure Christmas is special for him.”

  “What does Frank do for a living?”

  “He's a lawyer and a darn good one, too,” Bud said. “Susie and Frank have three kids. The oldest is David. He's ten. Like most kids these days, he's taken a liking to the computer and all those hand held devices that kids like. I think the boy is the spitting image of his father. Dark hair and brown serious eyes and he's built with a thin frame. You know, the kind of guy when he's grown up will look good in a business suit.”

  “And there is two more children?”

  “Yip, Jimmie is eight. He's more like the Carter side of the family. He likes outdoor sports like me. Follows me around in the summer when his mom will let him. He's got some of his father's looks, but the light hair coloring and blue eyes came from the Carters.

  Little Megan is five, but she will tell you she is almost six if you ask her age. Already in a hurry to grow up. She has naturally curly blond hair and pretty blue eyes. Makes me think of Shirley Temple when she was a kid. Megan's personality is precocious like Temple's was. I can hardly wait until she gets old enough to attract the boys like bees to honey. She's going to drive her parents crazy. Now about Susie.”

  Elizabeth interrupted. “No need to tell me about Susie. She is a loving wife and great mother. She's protective of her brother. A good business woman with a very industrious nature. A friendly person with a big heart normally except where I'm concerned.”

  “That's her, but her bark is worse than her bite so be patient with her. That about says it for my family,” Bud said. “You're looking cold. Good thing we're here.”

  On the edge of town, he pulled over by the curb in front of a ranch style home. He hopped out and tied a halter rope from each horse to a lower limb on the maple tree next to the sidewalk. By that time, Elizabeth had the covers folded up and piled on the back seat, ready for the ride home.

  Susie and Frank greeted them at the front door. Frank said, “You two look frozen. Get in here and warm up.”

  “Merry Christmas to you both,” Susie said. One of the horses nickered causing her to looked past Bud toward the street. “You came in a sleigh? No wonder you're both cold. The coffee pot's on. I'll get you a cup of coffee right away. Take your coats off and give them to Frank to hang up.”

  By the time Frank escorted Bud and Elizabeth into the living room, Susie came back with their coffee. “Sit down and make yourselves at home. Hope you like parades. That's what the kids wanted to watch this morning. Now I have to go back to the kitchen and check on my dinner.”

  “I'll go with you,” Elizabeth offered. “Maybe I can help.”

  “Come along. Not much we can do until time to make the salad. I put most of the dishes in the oven.” When they reached the kitchen, Susie pointed to the bar stools. “Sit down and drink that coffee while I check the potato casserole and the turkey. There's more in the pot if you need another cup.”

  She opened the oven door and pulled the bottom rack out so she could take off the roaster lid. “That sleigh ride sure looked like it would be fun. My brother surprises me sometimes what he can come up with.”

  “He certainly surprised me, and the ride was fun,” Elizabeth agreed.

  Susie basted the golden turkey and put the lid back over it. She peeked under the lid on the potato casserole. After she shut the oven door and took off her mitts, she poured a cup of coffee for herself and sat down by Elizabeth. She went directly to what she had to get off her chest. “I owe you an apology for giving you a hard time. Bud said you were so upset you walked into the branch in the timber and nearly froze to death. I'm sorry that happened to you because of me.”

  Elizabeth said contritely, “Bud shouldn't have blamed you. My mishap in the forest was my fault. It had nothing to do with you at all. I started out for a walk and picked the wrong place to step, because I wasn't familiar with the area. I'm fine now so no need to worry about it.”

  “I'm glad you're alright. By the way, which name do you like to be called? Elizabeth or Lizzy?” Susie asked.

  Elizabeth grinned. “Bud is the only one who calls me Lizzy, but I don't mind. You can use either name.”

  “Elizabeth is a pretty name. I like that so I'm going to call you Elizabeth,” Susie said. “Let's go in the living room. You can meet my kids.”

  Bud and Frank had the couch. The three children were on their knees in front of the television. Susie said, “Kids, we have company. Say hello to Elizabeth Morris.”

  The kids swiveled around on their knees and eyed Elizabeth, as they sized her up.

  Susie said, “The one on the end is David. He's the oldest. Next is Jimmie, and Megan is the girl on this end.”

  “It's nice to meet all of you. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with me.” Elizabeth said.

  Megan said shyly, “I like your pretty sweater.”

  “Thank you, Megan. That red one you're wearing is very festive. Just right for today,” Elizabeth replied.

  Looking back over his shoulder, Jimmie said, “We're missing the floats.”

  Elizabeth and Susie squeezed in between the men and watched the last of the floats.

  As Bud predicted, Susie had plenty to eat. The table was full of bowls and a large platter of turkey. Conversation flowed around the table and lots of laughter. Elizabeth watched this family and thought to herself, So this is how it is at Christmas in a real family. Warm and loving. How sad that Scott and I missed all this when we were small.

  A football game was on after lunch. The men settled down to watch the game with the children while the women cleaned the kitchen. When Susie and Elizabeth went to the living room, the men scooted over so the women could sit with them. During a commercial, the children turned around to listen to the men talk about what went wrong in the last quarter.

  Susie said to the children, “Did you know that Elizabeth lives where Uncle Bud and I did when we were kids?”

  “Really,” Jimmie said with interest. “Sometime, I'd like to see inside that old house again. I was small the last time I was there so I don't remember much about it.”

  “You're all welcome to come visit any time and take a tour,” Elizabeth invited.

  Frank said, “You guys were so busy watching the parade this morning you probably didn't see what Uncle Bud drove to town in.”

  “Just his old pickup like usual I guess,” David said.

  “Wrong guess, Buddy,” Bud told him. “Go look.”

  The children ran to the window.

  “Wow! An honest to goodness sleigh,” Jimmie said.

  David exclaimed, “Neat!”

  Megan asked with a frown, “Did you steal Santa's sleigh, Uncle Bud?”

  Bud chuckled. “Whoa, little girl. I wouldn't do such a mean thing as that. Santa would never bring me anything for Christmas ever again if I did that to him. I rented a sleigh like Santa's so I could give Lizzy a ride in it for a Christmas gift.”

  “That's the best present I've ever had. Did you kid
s find lots of good gifts from Santa under this pretty Christmas tree?” Elizabeth asked, pointing to the large tree in the corner.

  “Wait here,” Megan said as she ran out of the room.

  Not to be out done the boys took off, too.

  Susie laughed. “You've done it now. They will keep you busy checking out all their new stuff.”

  “I don't mind at all,” Elizabeth assured her.

  Megan rushed back, carrying a baby doll wrapped in a pink blanket. Elizabeth cooed over the baby as if it was real which delighted Megan.

  “What's her name?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I haven't picked one yet,” Megan said. “But I'm thinking about it.”

  David and Jimmie carried in their new fishing poles for Bud to inspect. Jimmie wanted to know when Bud would have time to take them fishing. Bud told him to be patient. He wasn't much for ice fishing so they had to wait until spring. He looked the poles over carefully and pronounced them dandies. The boys were bound to beat him at catching the most fish with those new poles.

  Bud handed the poles back and glanced at the wall clock. “I think we better be headed back. I don't want to be on the road with that sleigh after dark.”

  “Why, Uncle Bud? Will the sleigh turn into a pumpkin?” Megan asked.

  Everyone laughed.

  Susie said, “You have your fairy tales mixed up. It was Cinderella's coach that turned into the pumpkin.” She turned to Elizabeth. “I'm glad Bud thought to do that for you. Sometime, I'd like to take a sleigh ride like that myself. Sounds like such fun.”

  Bud grinned. “Was that a hint?”

  Susie shrugged, “No, just saying.”

  Elizabeth turned to Bud. “Why can't we take everyone out to the house for dinner, ah supper? Maybe Frank could follow in his car and take Susie and the kids back home later. If he doesn't mind?”

  Frank nodded approval. “I don't mind if Susie and the kids want a ride in the sleigh. Bud ought to get his rental money's worth out of it that way. What do you say, Susie?”

  “Frank, you know I'd love it,” Susie said excitedly. “What about it, kids?”

  David said, “We'll get our coats and boots on real quick.”