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 Page A

be taken from his sister. Yet, the authorities seemed determined to do so. Was it all so cut and dry? Were there options not yet explored?
    Kyle met Ethan outside and walked with him while Tom brought the car around. “You look beat, Ethan,” Kyle said.
    “Tired isn’t the word for it.”
    Kyle piled into the front with Tom, and Ethan rested his head against the leathery backseat. He closed his eyes, but not in sleep as he hoped his bodyguards would think. Instead, he lifted a desperate plea to the heavens, more desperate than his first Christmas prayer.
    * * *
    Alexis dropped into the recliner. She’d been a fool. Her head throbbed from disappointment. Had she been hasty and amputated something wonderful because of paranoia?
    She’d somehow cope with the demands of the week and cling to the hope that God had it all under control, in spite of the fact her soul splashed in deep pools of doubt. If Ethan Jacobs moved to the Guilford Residence permanently as he claimed he planned, she’d find a way to value his friendship and nothing more, for Gib’s sake. The man had done him no harm, and likely wouldn’t. Why couldn’t she trust him?
    Jasmine returned with fried chicken legs and banana cream pie. Alexis checked on Gib. Sound asleep. True friendship needed no lengthy explanations when the heart ached. Jasmine went to the refrigerator and came back holding a half gallon of Rocky Road ice-cream. Since the eighth grade, the cure for every date gone wrong.

Chapter Nine
    Max clicked away at his laptop while Ethan watched from the archway. Good to have his manager and friend back.
    “Morning. Have a good time in Montreal?” Ethan asked.
    “The chartered flight left me breathless. I didn’t think they made planes that small anymore. He flew so close to the mountains, I swear I could count the trees.”
    “The Adirondack Mountains are beautiful whether you are looking at them from a plane or on the road. Closest thing to the Rockies I’ve ever seen.”
    Max snorted. “You can have your mountains. I’ll never be a nature lover. I will say, though, Montreal was exciting. Lots to see. You’d be proud of me. I went ice-skating.”
    “You’re right. I am proud of you. You know, Jasper Falls has a lot of places to ice skate.”
    “But no French restaurants. Closest thing to French cuisine in this village is Mickey’s Diner.”
    “How’s that?”
    “I had their French toast day after we arrived.” Max closed his laptop and challenged Ethan with an accusatory glare. “I see from the tabloids, you’ve been busy. They all want to know, ‘Who’s the blonde on Pine Street?’”
    “Alexis Jennings.”
    “The reporter? The autistic kid’s her brother, right?”
    Ethan sipped his coffee. How much should he clue Max in on? Ethan supposed at some point he’d have to tell Max why his employer took special interest in an autistic child. Probably should do so soon. He’d connect the dots soon enough.
    “Doesn’t Gib receive services through Gideon Foundation?”
    “Yes, all true.”
    Max scowled. “Do you think it’s wise to mix your romantic life with your charitable activities?”
    After the last fiasco, he doubted Alexis wanted anything more to do with him. “I won’t be seeing any more of Alexis Jennings. And don’t worry, she won’t crucify me in the paper. She wouldn’t hurt the benefit.”
    Max typed in autism on Google search. “Don’t see why he’d have a connection to Gideon Foundation. They tend to serve kids with drug issues or recurring brushes with the law.”
    “Alexis said he’s on probation.”
    “Okay, then that explains their involvement with Gib and that Alexis woman and why she’d be interested in making sure the benefit goes well. Speaking of the benefit, the band arrives tonight. The school lets out for the holiday break tomorrow afternoon. We can set up in the auditorium anytime after that to begin rehearsing.”
    Ethan plopped into the recliner with such force that it nearly