Read Online A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) by Linda Wood Rondeau - Free Book Online

shoulder, a comfort she could easily get used to if he stuck around long enough. “What happens if he doesn’t pull out, like he did this time?” Ethan asked.
    “Not pleasant.”
    “What I saw seemed bad enough.”
    “His rages can be very hard to control. You notice I don’t have knick knacks, vases, or projectiles in the house. When he’s out of control, he’ll turn over furniture or throw whatever his hands come across until the rage subsides and he collapses from exhaustion.”
    Ethan squeezed her hand. “Must be scary to go through these episodes alone. Anyone you can call besides Jasmine?”
    “I’ve tried calling the ambulance to bring Gib to the emergency room. The doctors claim his problems are behavioral and mental health says his behavior is secondary to a medical condition. Bottom line, doctors adjust his medications and send him home. Sometimes they hot-line me if he’s hurt himself before help arrives. Right or wrong, I don’t call anyone unless he is dangerously out of control. Sometimes, like today, I can talk him down.”
    Ethan pulled her to him and ran his fingers through her hair, a gesture meant more to comfort than arouse. As tender as he tried to be, comfort was elusive, like a rainbow over a distant hill, never quite reachable. No human could comfort her. It was enough that he wanted to.
    “You should go. We’ll be fine. Gib’s usually good for at least a few days after one of these episodes. He’s like a geyser. Pressure … release … calm … pressure … release … calm.”
    “Does he set fires when he’s experiencing one of these meltdowns as you call them?”
    Alexis pushed away. “How do you know about the fires? I didn’t tell you. Those records are supposedly sealed.”
    “Um … Kyle …”
    “Kyle wouldn’t …”
    “I meant to say Jasmine.”
    “You’re a lousy liar, Ethan. Why can’t you tell me the truth? How do you know so much about us?”
    * * *
    Apparently Alexis sensed his interest in Gib went far beyond reasonable curiosity or extravagant generosity.
    “My position as honorary president of the National Gideon Foundation allows me to have special access—”
    “Not buying it.”
    He had to say something. “Okay. You’re right. I am a lousy liar. There’s more to my interest in Gib than my connections to Gideon Foundation.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “I can’t tell you.”
    She stood and walked to the other side of the room. “Not good enough. You either tell me the truth, or leave now.”
    “Don’t, Alexis. Please. I really care about you. We have the beginnings of something between us. I’d like to see where it might take us.”
    “And Gib?”
    “Gib’s very special to me.”
    “Why?”
    “I told you. I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
    “You need to leave. Now.”
    His head pounded … should he go full steam ahead? Why did the court have to gag him? How could telling Alexis be harmful? Seemed she might welcome the truth, be happy Gib wouldn’t have to go into foster care or an institution.
    His heart said, I’m Gib’s father. I didn’t know about him until a year ago. I’m here now. And I want to give him whatever he needs to make it through this life. I want to be a better father to him than my father was to me.
    He walked to the door. “It will all come to light soon.” When the door closed behind him, he forced himself to look toward a future far different than the one he’d hoped for this afternoon. After witnessing Gib’s horrendous rage and knowing Alexis had to endure these so frequently, it seemed logical she’d be glad Gib would have private care around the clock. No longer a need for locked cabinets and refrigerators.
    Yet, no amount of paid help could compare with Alexis’s love for her brother. And, in spite of his withdrawal, Gib cared for her, too. Until this afternoon, Ethan had seen himself as his son’s savior. What if he had become a millstone, instead? Ethan could see reasons why Gib shouldn’t