Christmas With Hover Hill

by Risner, Fay

  Scott laughed. “Steven didn't mention that, but good for you. Do whatever you want with the robot.” The line became quiet.

  Elizabeth said, “Scott, are you still there?”

  “Yeah, I was debating if I should tell you the latest gossip. Guess it wouldn't hurt. Steven is dating again. The woman works at the gym he goes to.”

  “I'm glad he has moved on. That will keep him from pestering me,” Elizabeth said honestly, feeling nothing but relief. “We can catch up when you get here. Bye for now.”

  She hung up and started for the door. Bud would be wondering where she went. The phone rang again. Scott must have thought of something else he wanted to tell her. “Hello.”

  “Elizabeth, is it really you? Thank heavens, you're alright. I have been so worried about you. I don't know whether to be mad at you for scaring me half to death or happy that you're alive.”

  Elizabeth giggled. “Slow down, Zoe, and come up for air. I'm deeply sorry that I worried you. I was afraid to tell even you. If anyone knew where I went and let it slip, Steven Mitchell would hunt me up. I didn't want to be found for a while.

  Good news is I'm not in hiding anymore, and it's so good to hear your voice. I have missed you, my friend.”

  “Well, in that case, I guess you are forgiven. How soon are you coming home,” Zoe said.

  Elizabeth heard a loud sniffle on the other end. “I'm going to keep you posted about my plans from now on. I promise. I just haven't decided what I want to do yet.”

  “You mean you might not come back to Cedar Falls?” Zoe shrieked.

  “Oh, Zoe! I just don't know yet. I might stay here in the country or in Wickenburg and teach at the school if there is an opening,” Elizabeth explained. “You can come see me any time you want, and I can come visit you.”

  “Okay, if you say so,” Zoe said. “Do you still have that man robot?”

  “Yes, and we're getting along much better now that we are used to each other. Oh, and I've met a man I like a lot.”

  “So now the plot thickens. He might be the reason you aren't coming back here,” Zoe said.

  They chatted for a few minutes about mutual friends. Finally, Zoe ended the call, because she had a date to get ready for.

  When Elizabeth walked out the door, the world suddenly seemed brighter. She had her brother and her best friend back in her life

  During dinner that evening, Elizabeth set her coffee cup down. Clasped her hands tightly together in her lap and hoped that her announcement went over without much fuss. “Bud, my father left town this morning. Susie called me to tell me I could pick up the key. Father said it was all right to use his house now that he isn't in it.”

  Standing at the end of the table, Hover droned a deep regret, but for once, he didn't offer his opinion.

  “You want to move out of here?” Bud asked.

  “Yes, I do. You knew that this day was coming. I still have a lot of thinking to do about my future. It just seems to me I will be able to do that thinking in the peace of my father's house by myself,” she explained. “I hope you're all right with my decision.”

  Bud said flatly, “Whether I am or not, at least you didn't say you were going back to Cedar Falls. That's encouraging. When do you want to move?”

  “As soon as possible.” Elizabeth added, “When you have time to help me.”

  “All right, if you're sure that's what you want, I'll help you move tomorrow,” Bud offered.

  The move went as quickly as it did the first time. Only in the reverse. Two weeks went by. Bud didn't come visit. He must have taken her at her word that she wanted to be left alone to think.

  Elizabeth's plan to work on her book flew right out the window. That would be the window in the living room that faced the road. She spent most of her time there or sitting on the porch steps, staring at the road and listening intently for the motor of an old beater pickup.

  One afternoon, Hover opened the screen door. The rusted hinges squeaked, announcing he was behind her. “Would you like this glass of iced tea?”

  “That sounds good. Thank you, Hover.” When Hover handed her the sweating glass, she said, “I wish you could get down here and join me. I'm tired of sitting by myself with no one to talk with.”

  “It is not possible for me to join you on the steps.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “I know. Wait, I'm going to bring two chairs out here so we can sit together.” Elizabeth hurried inside and came back with two dining room chairs. “Open the door.” Hover held the door while she maneuvered her way outside. She plopped the chairs down side by side. “Now sit down, Hover.”

  “These are more words than you have spoken to me in two weeks,” he droned as he eased down on the chair.

  “I've decided it's too quiet here. I want someone to talk to, and you're it,” Elizabeth said.

  “No, I am not it. Farmer is it. I am just a poor substitute for the real thing. He is the one you miss talking to, and you should have done something to rectify that mistake before now,” Hover droned truthfully.

  “We should look at this from Bud's point of view. He's glad he has his house back to himself again. You must have noticed he hasn't been around for the last two weeks,” Elizabeth surmised.

  “I noticed. I would say that is more your fault than his,” Hover droned.

  Elizabeth puzzled. “My fault. Why?”

  “You are pushing him away. You should make up your mind soon to move back in with Farmer, or he will stop coming altogether,” Hover advised.

  “Looks like you may be right. That may have happened already. As much as I hate to say you're right, I have the feeling Bud has given up on me. Why can't I figure out what I want to do with my life?” Elizabeth moaned.

  “I do not know what your problem is. But as Farmer would say, you need to get off the fence on one side or the other and soon,” Hover said sagely.

  “Thanks for the advice, Paul Harvey.”

  “I do not know him, but if he tells you the same thing, he is a wise man,” Hover declared, standing up. “I have work to do. Unlike someone else I know, I have not a problem knowing what needs to be done.”

  Elizabeth grumbled, “Go on. Leave me alone, and take your chair back to the kitchen with you.”

  “No need. It will be in use soon enough right where it is. Now I will go in and fix dinner for two.”

  Elizabeth looked confused. “Two? Are you going to eat with me?”

  “No.”

  “Have you got a hidden crystal ball in that internal computer of yours that says two will be eating here at dinner time?”

  “No, I just hear very well. Farmer is turning off the highway and headed here as we speak,” Hover said.

  Elizabeth checked out the tree lined road. “I don't see him.”

  “You will. Farmer told me to tell you he would be here soon,” Hover added and went inside.

  Elizabeth watched the road eagerly. When Bud's pickup rumbled to a stop, he gave a slight wave to her through the windshield and climbed out. He grinned as he ambled toward her with his Paul Bunyan stride.

  She tried to keep her voice calm as she greeted him. “What are you doing here today?”

  “I had the Sunday fidgets,” he said as he sat on the chair beside her. “Didn't Hover tell you I was coming?”

  “He just did. Right now he is fixing you dinner. How have you been?”

  Bud ran his fingers through his hair. “Truth is, I can't stop thinking about you. I thought if I stayed away I'd get used to not being around you. That didn't work. My house is too quiet.”

  “I just said something similar to Hover.”

  Bud said sincerely, “I can't stand being in my house by myself. Truth is, I miss you like crazy. I even miss Robot.”

  “Now that last statement sounds pretty amazing to me,” Elizabeth said and giggled. She sobered up when her eyes met his.

  “How have you been?” Bud asked.

  “Fine. Busy. I've been working on my book as much as I can.” The last s
he emphasized to keep from feeling like she'd just told a complete lie.

  “That isn't what Robot told me. He said you're so down in the mouth he can't figure out how to get you to cheer up. He told me I should come try. You want to talk about it.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “Hover has become more your confidant than mine. What is your secret? Some sort of bribe?”

  Bud gave her an earnest look. “No, it's just that the two of us are concerned about you.”

  I expect you're waiting for me to tell you I missed you. You should know I do,” Elizabeth admitted grudgingly.

  “I didn't know any such thing until I talked to Hover. I haven't heard from you since you left, and you haven't been much for telling me how you feel any other time,” Bud groused. “I'm not a mind reader you know.”

  Elizabeth thought a moment. “Funny, I don't remember hearing the phone ring.”

  “You wouldn't have. Hover called me.”

  “Really!”

  Bud took her hand and squeezed it. “Now quit changing the subject. For the first time in your life talk about what is bothering you, and let me help.”

  “There is a problem, but when haven't I had a problem. I only have until the end of the month to make up my mind what I'm going to do. In two weeks, Susie is supposed to ask for the house key back.”

  “Susie wouldn't do that,” Bud defended.

  “She's has to do what Martin Winston tells her to do. This is his house. You see he left a note for me to find on the kitchen table after he left. He wrote that I could stay here for one month until I found me a place of my own. Wasn't that generous of him?

  His advice was for me to move back to Cedar Falls and go back to teaching. He's forcing me to, as Hover put it ,get off the fence on one side or the other. At the same time, he thinks he is strong arming me to do what he wants me to do.”

  Bud ran his fingers through his hair. “Robot said that about the fence? Well, the answer is right in front of your nose. My solution to your problem is to move back in with me so you have a roof over your head. Bag, baggage and Robot, of course. You shouldn't have moved out in the first place.”

  “Funny, I've been thinking I may have been hasty when I moved in with you to begin with. I wanted to get rid of Steven in the worse way, and you did offer to hide me. Now the threat is over. I still haven't made up my mind what I want to do, but it is clear I will have to leave this house soon.”

  Bud said solemnly. “Truth is, I got used to you living with me, and I liked it. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you in that empty house. I don't want you to go back to Cedar Falls. What would it take to help make up your mind about moving in with me?” He paused then added, “Course if you did want to move in with me, I'd have to borrow Hover to help me clean house before you see it again.”

  “It's only been two weeks. How bad could your house look in that length of time?”

  Bud gave her a faint grin. “I really didn't want you to know how much of a slob I am until you were stuck with me.”

  “This is a whole new experience for me. I was getting along just fine in my rut, teaching school and in the evening at home with a book and a glass of wine. Or, so I thought. Everyone is after me to make up my mind. I'm having trouble deciding what I want to do.”

  Bud went on the alert. “What do you mean everyone? You talked to anyone else besides Hover and me?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Scott called to ask my forgiveness. He wanted to know when I was coming home. My best friend, Zoe, called to say she's glad I'm alright and wanted to know how soon I was coming back to Cedar Falls.”

  Bud looked troubled. “What did you tell them?”

  “That I don't want to make a fast decision I might regret later. Bud, I have decided you're my problem. I didn't think there would ever be another man I'd want to be close to until I met you. I just didn't expect to feel love again,” Elizabeth said honestly, staring off into the timber.

  “You aren't the only one that's confused by the feeling. I didn't expect to meet a woman I'd let into my life again. I guess it must be contagious, because I've caught a big dose of whatever it is you have.” Bud leaned close, put a finger on her cheek and made her face him. “What are you thinking right now?”

  Her answer rushed out of her mouth. “If I live in your house with you there has to be ground rules for this relationship. I can't stay at your house and live under the same roof with you unless I know it's going to be a permanent move. I don't want you to do to me what my father did. Say I can stay there then tell me I have to leave at the end of the month.”

  “Don't worry about that happening. If I ever get you back in my house, I won't make the same mistake twice and let you move out,” Bud vowed.

  Elizabeth's face scrunched up. “You need to know how I feel about this. So give it some thought. You're used to having the place to yourself and your own routine. If I move in, you would have me under foot, and not only me, but Hover as well.”

  Bud looked at her earnestly, “No problem. I got used to that already when you stayed with me, and I liked it. What else?”

  “There's something else to consider that's important to me. We live in a small place where everyone knows about everyone else's business. There would be talk if we lived together and aren't married. People would say we were shacking up just like they did about Hover and me. I don't want that for you or me if I'm going to stay around here. That means there is only one way I'd move in.”

  Bud tensed up and stared at her. “Did you just hint at marriage? I've loved you since the first time I saw you. That's not going to change whether we're living together unmarried or married. Is that all it will take to get you to live with me? A proposal?”

  She gave him an imploring look. “Not quite. There is one more thing.”

  Bud huffed, “I just knew whatever you meant wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded.”

  “You would have to present me with a ring to seal the deal,” Elizabeth said, trying not to smile. “Then and only then will I believe that happily ever after is a sure bet. That and I need a marriage license in my hand for proof. Plus, you would have to get a wedding date and a minister set so I know this is a sure thing. If you could manage that in the next two weeks I'll think about it.”

  Hover was standing at the screen door, eavesdropping. He gave himself away with a low pleased hum.

  Bud nodded in the robot's direction. “Do I have to buy a ring for him, too?”

  Elizabeth cracked back, “Only if Hover wants you to. You would have to ask him.”

  Bud gave her a cat that ate the canary grin. “You think you just put out more stipulations to a relationship with me than I'd want to deal with. Well, this time you're wrong.” He rose from the chair and knelt down on his knees. He fished a small box out of his pocket and opened it. “It just so happens, Missy, that you have boxed yourself into getting married. I have a reliable witness at the door, listening to every word of our conversation so you can't back out.

  It just so happens I've had this ring bought for a long time. I've about wore the fuzz off the box, carrying it in my pocket all the time. I kept hoping for the right moment to give it to you. I just couldn't get up the nerve to show it to you and ask you? I didn't want to hear you say no, and I was afraid if I rushed you that's what you would say.” He paused and licked his dry lips.

  Elizabeth urged with sparkling eyes, “Go on. You wanted to ask me what?”

  “Truth is I've never done this before. No matter what your answer is I don't intend to do it again.” He fished the gold band with a large diamond in the middle of it out of the box and held it up. “Hold out your finger.”

  Elizabeth eyes bugged out at the size of the diamond, but she stuck her hands behind her back. “No, not yet. Say right out what you need to ask me first before you stick that ring on my finger,” Elizabeth ordered.

  A loud annoyed hum funneled out the screen door.

  “You sure don't make this easy for a fellow. You're torturing
me here.” Bud looked up at the screen door. “Robot, if I propose to Lizzy do I have to propose to you, too?”

  “No, I am easy. I am the only one you will get for nothing,” Hover droned dryly.

  Elizabeth laughed, “That's Mr. Looking on the Bright Side behind the screen door.” She turned back to Bud. “For Pete sakes, Farmer, my answer is yes.”

  Bud cocked his head sideways and grinned. “Yes to what?”

  “I'm getting tired of waiting for the words to come out of your mouth. Yes, I will marry you. Now, Prince Charming, hurry up and put that lovely ring on my finger and kiss me to seal this marriage proposal so we can get started on living happily ever after.”

  About The Author

  Hello! I'm Fay Risner. I go by booksbyfay online. I enjoy writing about Amish life in the Nurse Hal series. As well as those books, I write a historical Amazing Gracie mystery series set in Iowa and Stringbean Hooper westerns. Also, I've written two books about Alzheimer's disease. I worked for many years in a nursing home and helped my mother care for my father which gave me insight about what caregivers deal with.

  A romance such as Christmas With Hover Hill thrown into the mixture of books is a good way to switch genres. When an idea comes to me, I write the story.

  Changing genres gives me flexibility as a writer. All my books are designed to offer some humor along with the serious moments. I write in 12 font to make my books reader friendly, and all my stories are suitable for any age group.

  My husband and I live on an acreage with chickens, rabbits, cats and through the summer months a flock of goats. We enjoy raising a large garden and flowers. For fun, we go fishing in the summer and read a lot of books in the winter.

  Fay Risner's books are sold by her at her bookstore at www.booksbyfaybookstore@weebly.com, on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and Kindle

  Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series

  A Promise Is A Promise

  The Rainbow’s End