Christmas With Hover Hill (23 page)

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 [email protected], on Amazon, B&N,
Smashwords and Kindle

Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series

A Promise Is A Promise

The Rainbow’s End

Hal’s Worldly Temptations

As Her Name Is So Is Redbird

Emma’s Gossamer Dreams

The Courting Buggy

Amazing Gracie Historical Mystery Series

Neighbor Watchers

Specious Nephew

The Country Seat Killer

The Chance Of A Sparrow

Moser Mansion Ghosts

Locked Rock, Iowa Hatchet Murders

Poor Defenseless Addie

Westerns

Stringbean Hooper Westerns

The Dark Wind Howls Over Mary

Small Feet’s Many Moon Journey

Tread Lightly Sibby

Ella Mayfield’s Pawpaw Militia

Christmas books

Christmas Traditions - An Amish Love Story

Leona’s Christmas Bucket List

Christmas With Hover Hill

Children Books

My Children Are More Precious Than Gold

Nonfiction about Alzheimer’s disease

Open A Window - Caregiver Handbook

Hello Alzheimer’s Goodbye Dad-author’s true
story