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

one went missing, she always had to turn the house upside down until she found it or Gib would be up all night. Knowledge of his compromised rationality was one thing. Coping with his compulsions was quite another.
    Kyle peered toward Alexis, his eyes wide with concern. “Gib, why don’t you go to your room for a few minutes and let me talk to your sister. Okay?”
    “Fine.” Gib stomped his attitude with his ascent.
    When he was out of sight, Alexis let the tears flow. “He doesn’t get it. He might have been killed if he’d been out there.”
    Kyle motioned for Alexis to sit. “For most autistic kids, cause and effect don’t compute.”
    “Am I going to lose my brother?”
    “I’ll have to report the fire, of course. But I don’t think anyone will rush in to take Gib immediately. I don’t see an imminent risk so I’m recommending he stay with you for now, especially since there’s a hearing after Christmas. I won’t lie to you, Alexis. If I’m asked whether I think Gib is safe for the long-term, I’d have to argue for placement. I’m sorry.”
    “What will happen to him? Hasn’t he lost enough? My parents die and now he loses his home? How can God let an innocent suffer so much?” Foolish to blame God for her failings. “I do love him. I don’t care if he’s adopted. He’s still my brother.”
    “With kids like Gib, sometimes love isn’t enough. How’s the after-school program at the Gideon Foundation working out?”
    Alexis walked to the fireplace, sealed off for Gib’s safety. “He talks as if he likes it there. Unfortunately, all he does is sit on the gym bleachers and listen to music. The staff has tried to engage him in activities. They say he refuses and prefers to sit and watch. I don’t know what more I can do. When school’s closed, I lose work. I’m surprised my editor hasn’t fired me yet.”
    “Buck Kincaid’s a fair man. He’s been with the newspaper a long time.”
    “He does allow me to work at home when there’s no school. But, he wants me to ramp up the coverage on the benefit. I’ll be extra busy.”
    “With Ethan Jacobs as the main event it’ll sell itself. You shouldn’t have to work at it that hard.”
    “It’s been sold out for weeks. But there are so many angles to cover, I’ve been at my wits end trying to do the work and find someone to take care of Gib.”
    “I heard the Gideon Foundation is the recipient this year, Ethan’s favorite charity. I also heard he’s donating a huge chunk of change from the sales of A Christmas Prayer . Since they’re getting all the moola, maybe they’ll write a few articles for you.”
    “I have an interview with Ethan tomorrow and Buck wants me to do the presentation at the Mayor’s Dinner the night before the benefit. I can’t keep imposing on Jasmine.”
    “Why not bring Gib with you?”
    “Too risky. Lately, he’s been off the wall more than he’s been on task. Seems like any new situation throws him into a meltdown. Or, he’s apt to borrow anything not bolted to the floor.”
    “Ethan Jacobs is Gib’s hero, right?”
    Alexis nodded … hero was an understatement.
    “Gib might surprise you if there’s something in it for him, like meeting a legend. Positive reinforcement, they say, can sometimes work better than punishment. I’m moonlighting on Ethan’s security detail. Did you know he’s rented the old Guilford Residence for an extended vacation?”
    “Buck mentioned it. Another angle he wants me to write about. Why would someone of Ethan’s stature want to live in Jasper Falls? Not so much as a McDonald’s.”
    “He’s from here. He graduated with my older brother, Tom. He left town the same year your father took the pastorate at Good Shepherd Church, the year they adopted Gib.”
    “Yes, but why stay here now?”
    Kyle’s infectious laugh pushed through her pain and made her smile in spite of her need to cry. “I was in college when my parents moved here, and I didn’t visit very often