A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) Read Online Free PDF

at the end of the hall where you can change.”
    “Your coffee’s poured. I didn’t know what you’d like in it.”
    “Black. Like I said—”
    “Simple things.”
    He clicked his tongue and winked.
    She held up the shirt. “I’ll be right back.”
    * * *
    Alexis pranced down the hall like an unsettled mare. She was not as Ethan expected. When he first learned about Gib’s legal problems, he blamed her, assuming she’d been too interested in her career and not focused enough on the kid. How else could he set fires in his own house under the nose of his sister? The private detective’s subsequent reports both positive and negative only confused Ethan as to her real motivations. Had he misjudged her? Facts alone never painted the whole picture.
    Should he come clean with Alexis? Didn’t she deserve to know Ethan Jacobs was more than Gib’s hero?
    At the law guardian’s suggestion, Ethan observed Gib while he spoke with his counselor. Then and there, Ethan knew beyond any doubt the plan God had put before him was the right one. Only a few in Family Court knew Ethan’s relationship to Gib. Yet, only God knew Gib was the inspiration behind A Christmas Prayer . Though intellectually he accepted the court’s mandate for secrecy, Ethan’s heart ached to announce that Gib Jennings was Ethan Jacobs’s son. When Alexis came back, he’d defy the order and tell her the truth. As a reporter, she’d understand the need for confidentiality and the reasons Gib could not yet be told.
    His cell chimed. Jan MacKendrick, the Law Guardian. “Ethan Jacobs here.”
    “Mr. Jacobs. Did you know there’s been another incident?”
    “When?”
    “Yesterday. This time the shed burned. The juvenile officer suspects the fire was an accident rather than caregiver negligence. However, the fact that it occurred supports his assessment. Gib is unsafe in his current environment. I think we’ll need to move up Gib’s probation hearing for this week. I’ll request that all petitions involving Gib be heard at the same time. It’s my opinion that Gib needs 24/7 supervision, a demand his caretaker is unable to meet. If you are willing to pay for in-home services, we can avoid institutionalization.”
    “Whatever Gib needs.”
    “The only opening in the court calendar is Thursday morning, same day as the benefit. Your presence is critical.”
    “I’ll make it a priority. How much does Miss Jennings know?”
    “Her lawyer will call her. We’re hopeful for a settlement so we won’t have to go to trial. Rather than bore you with a lot of legal jargon, we’ll recommend custody with Social Services and physical placement with you, at least for now. The counselor also recommends intensive therapy to help you and Gib establish a bond before you tell him you’re his father. It could be too traumatic at this juncture.”
    Ethan tried to put himself in Alexis’s place. He remembered how everyone in Jasper Falls blamed his mother for his delinquency. Parents always received society’s first pointed finger, condemnation easier to dispense than compassion. Perhaps he should try looking at the positives. It was possible Alexis had pure motives for all her sacrifice. Shouldn’t he be grateful instead of suspicious?
    “I understand.”
    Ethan didn’t understand fully, instead giving the expected response. Seemed to him honesty was still the best policy. Yet, for Gib’s sake, he’d play the government’s game.
    “One other matter, Mr. Jacobs. We’ve located Gib’s birth mother as you requested. Nancy Morgan is at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Since she terminated her parental rights when she gave Gib up for adoption, she has no say in this case. I’ll call you tomorrow with confirmation of the hearing and time.”
    “I appreciate your help.”
    “I’m not doing this for your sake, Mr. Jacobs. I represent the best interests of the child. Clearly, Gib cannot stay where he is. So it’s either a residential facility or