Christmas With Hover Hill Read Online Free PDF

neighbor
children. Nancy pulled the sled over the snow mound next to the
sidewalk to give her little brother, Andy, a ride. Nancy spotted
Elizabeth and waved. She said something to Andy, and he waved, too.
Elizabeth waved back at them and wondered if she had ever enjoyed
playing with Scott like that. Her memories of their childhood
together were so fleeting.
    The next day was the last day at school until after
the first of the year. When Elizabeth left work and headed home,
she wasn't sure if she was happy or sad about the time off.
    She found a very good meal waiting for her that
evening. Hover didn't say anything. He quietly stood at the end of
the counter at attention, waiting for her to finish her meal. To
his credit, he seemed to be taking a new to be seen and not heard
approach with her.
    Elizabeth wiped her mouth on the napkin and made an
effort to start off on the right foot with the robot. “That was a
good meal.”
    “ I am glad you liked it,” he said without the
attitude.
    “ I did. Now clean up the kitchen and go to your
corner. I'm going to read for a while and turn in early,” Elizabeth
said, wondering if she'd gotten the hang of managing this robot.
The phone rang. She flinched, and then she picked up the receiver
on the kitchen counter. “Hello. Oh, hi, Zoe.” She eyed Hover. He
was watching her with an intent curiosity. “No, not tonight. Let's
plan on you coming over another night. I'm rather tired tonight.
Today was the last day before break. It made for a busy day.”
Actually, the last thing she wanted was to have her friend see a
good looking robot living with her.
    “ It is too bad you are so tired.” Hover raised
the volume on his voice control. “You have no other visitors coming
tonight. It would be good to have your friend come to
visit.”
    “ No wonder you don't want me around. I hear a
man's voice. Finally, you have a man! Who is he?” Zoe asked
excitedly.
    “ No, I don't have anyone here,” Elizabeth
cried.
    “ You do, too. You can't deny it,” Zoe cried. “I
heard his voice, but I don't recognize it. Who is he?”
    “ No one you would know,” Elizabeth
hedged.
    “ Is it your brother, Scott? I've been wanting
to meet him. From the pictures I've seen in your place, he looks
hot.”
    “ No, Scott isn't coming to visit until after
Christmas,” Elizabeth said.
    Zoe wasn't buying her story. “You said you two always
spent Christmas together.”
    “ Yes, that's true, but not this
year.”
    “ Oh, okay, but you do have a man there right
now. I know I haven't met him. I don't recognize his voice. Why
haven't you told me about him before this. I'd almost given up hope
on you ever finding anyone. For goodness sakes, I'm your best
friend. I worry about you spending so much time alone. Hello!
Remember me? Zoe.
    The least you can do is confide in me when you
finally meet a man you like. That way I can quit worrying about
you. I'm coming over to meet him right now.” The phone clicked in
Elizabeth's ear.
    Elizabeth hadn't finished scolding Hover for putting
her in this awkward situation with her friend before the door bell
rang. She hadn't even had time to think about where she was going
to hide the robot in that fifteen minutes.
    Hover started for the door, but Elizabeth beat him to
it. Not that it mattered. As she opened the door, she sensed he
stayed right behind her. “Come on in, Zoe,” she said.
    “ Here.” The cheerful, petite blond thrust a
bottle of wine at her and winked. “I stopped on the way over and
picked this up for after I leave. I thought you and your company
could share it.”
    “ Thanks, but he doesn't drink,” Elizabeth
mumbled.
    “ Oh, I'm sorry. I just never think about who
might be going to AA these days,” Zoe whispered. “Merry Christmas,”
she said, staring over Elizabeth's shoulder at Hover. “He's cute,”
she whispered.
    “ Oh no, Zo. This isn't at all what you think,”
Elizabeth said, near tears.
    “ If you aren't going to introduce me,