Read Online A Dad of His Own by Gail Gaymer Martin - Free Book Online Page A

he had been when Laine died. He tried to dislodge the feelings that crashed around him. Being alone. Not being a family. It wasn’t how God meant it to be. God said in Genesis, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.” A companion to complete him. That’s what he’d missed. Being complete.
    Lexie blocked their view of the cake, and when she turned around, she’d topped it with eight lighted candles. Cooper clapped his hands as she carried it toward him and set it on the table. They broke into the song “Happy Birthday” and he and Lexie joined in the clapping.
    “Make a wish, Cooper.” He would love to ask the boy about his wish. Where would he like to go? Who would he want to meet? What would fill him with happiness even for a short time?
    Cooper closed his eyes, then opened them and blew out the candle.
    They all extinguished, and Cooper beamed. “I can’t tell my wish or it won’t come true.”
    Ethan’s pulse kicked. That was the myth, but he wished he knew what Cooper asked for.
    Lexie slipped away again and brought back plates and a knife, slicing thick pieces of cake for him and Cooper before cutting a small piece for herself. “Let me refresh your coffee.”
    Before he could respond, she stepped away again and came back with the pot. “How about ice cream? We have vanilla and chocolate.”
    “Chocolate.” Cooper answered first.
    What else would a boy want whose favorite cake was double chocolate? Ethan chuckled. He was a chocolate fan, too. “Same for me.”
    Cooper lifted his hand for a high five, raising Ethan’s spirit another notch.
    While Lexie was dishing the ice cream, Ethan slipped back to the living room and brought the gift to the table. Cooper eyed it a moment, grinned and dug into his treats. Ethan placed the package beside him on the seat and enjoyed the dessert. The homemade cake was as moist and rich as he’d ever tasted, and he let Lexie know.
    Cooper slowed down. He’d eaten much of the cake and some ice cream, but it was obvious he’d begun to tire again.
    “Is it time for a present?” Ethan looked at Lexie for confirmation.
    She agreed, and Ethan handed the gift to Cooper.
    He tore off the paper and let out a yell. “A camera.” His eyes widened. “My very own camera.”
    Ethan heard Lexie’s intake of breath.
    He glanced at her, hoping she wasn’t upset. “I figured a boy who loves photography ought to take some pictures of his own.”
    “Wow! Mom.” Cooper shoved the camera toward her. “Look. It’s a real camera.”
    She gazed at Ethan, her eyes wide. “You shouldn’t have. It’s too expensive.”
    “They get less expensive every day, and he needs a camera.”
    “I need it, Mom. Maybe when I grow up, I could be a photographer and travel all over the world taking pictures of places.”
    The hope Ethan heard in the child’s voice rent his heart. He managed to wrap his words around his tongue. “Sounds like a good plan, Coop.” He’d never called him Coop before, but it seemed right.
    The boy hugged the camera to his chest. “I love it, Ethan.”
    “I’m glad.” And I love you, too, Cooper. He wanted to saythe words aloud. “The camera’s digital so it will take lots of pictures, and your mom can put them on the computer so you can see them.”
    The boy continued to clutch the camera against his chest, his face tired but smiling. “Mom, show Ethan what you gave me for my birthday. It’s a Wii with the sports games.”
    “I thought it would give him exercise when—”
    “’Cuz I can’t go to school.” He pressed his lips together. “I really want to go to school, but the Wii will be fun, and I can invite kids over to play, too.” His eyes widened. “Or you could play with me…and Mom.”
    His words washed over Ethan. He needed to set boundaries and expectations, but how could he discourage the boy and did he really want to? “Okay. We got a deal.”
    Cooper’s enthusiasm subsided as his face