A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) (5 page)

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 tipped over.

“What’s the matter? You’re not worried about the benefit, are you? Probably one of the smallest crowds you’ve played to in a long time. Although, it’s a sell out and has been for months. Folks in Jasper Falls really want to see you.”

“Not worried about the concert.” Ethan chewed his lip like a cow with a cud.

“Okay. Then what? The reporter?”

“Maybe. Okay. I’ll admit it. I like her a lot. Unfortunately, things aren’t working out between us as I hoped.”

“You don’t want to get drunk, do you?”

Ethan took a huge gulp of coffee. “Of course I do. But I won’t. God keeps me steady. I’ll be okay.”

“Good.”

“Listen, I need you to charter a plane for me to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility to visit an inmate.”

“Isn’t that a prison for women?”

“Yeah … what of it?”

“Whoa! Just curious … consider it done. Go get ready for your flight.”

Ethan hadn’t figured he’d draw extra media to Jasper Falls. Alexis didn’t need any more prying into her tenuous situation with Gib. The horde of journalists was bound to uncover why the boy had court scheduled for Thursday unless Max lured the hounds in a different direction. To do so, he’d have to know a little more about Ethan’s agenda where Gib was concerned.

“This might leak out, so you should know. I’ve applied for custody of Gibson Jennings. Court hearing is Thursday morning.”

“An unsavory binge would’ve been easier to cover up. Why adopt this kid? I know you’re tight with the Gideon Foundation on the national level, but don’t you think an adoption is a little drastic on the public relations side?”

“Gib’s violated his probation and the court is coming down heavy against Alexis Jennings. She will probably lose custody of her brother. I hate to see him end up in an institution. He’s a neat kid.”

Max glared. “Okay, I’ll keep the paparazzi off your back at least until its official. Although, something tells me there’s a deeper reason why you’re so involved with this kid. Care to clue me in?”

“I’ve told you all I can for now. I have good reasons for keeping a lid on this.”

“Anything to do with this trip to Bedford Hills?”

“Could be.”

* * *

Alexis looked up from her computer as her cell rang then checked the incoming number. Gib’s school. He hadn’t bolted from school grounds since early October. The special education committee’s assignment of a shadow for Gib during school hours had worked wonders. Gib liked school now and his improved grades were a testament to the program’s effectiveness. Any sign of trouble, and his shadow escorted him to a quieter place, averting a meltdown and Gib’s subsequent running away. He would still occasionally play Houdini, hiding from the shadow, and throwing the school into panic mode until they found him, most often huddled in a corner of a deserted classroom or reading a comic in a janitor’s closet.

“Miss Jennings, this is Bernie Dewitt.”

“What happened?”

“I didn’t mean to alarm you. Gib’s fine.”

The principal did not make friendly calls. Something had to be amiss.

“I
am
worried we’re facing a new issue with him. Up until now he has never lied, not even to avoid punishment.”

“You think he’s lying about something now?”

“He claims he’s best friends with Ethan Jacobs. I can’t imagine where this idea came from.”

Alexis unsuccessfully muffled her laugh.

“I don’t think this is a trivial matter, Miss Jennings. He’s a huge Ethan Jacobs fan. We need to assess if he’s delusional or not, especially with Mr. Jacobs’s appearance Thursday night.”

Did they worry Gib would stalk Ethan?

“You don’t understand, Miss Dewitt. Gib is telling the truth as he sees it. I had an interview with Mr. Jacobs for a series of articles I’m running. Mr. Jacobs has been especially kind to Gib this weekend. He and Ethan, I mean Mr. Jacobs, did spend a lot of time together, and he came to hear Gib sing at church. In Gib’s eyes, that constitutes friendship.”

“Thank you for the clarification. Seems Gib has made more of it than intended. I’m concerned there may be ramifications when Mr. Jacobs leaves after the benefit.”

The very question Alexis asked herself.

“As you’ll see in today’s article, Mr. Jacobs has made a purchase offer on the Guilford Residence. Could be he plans on being more than an occasional attraction in Jasper Falls.”

Her phone vibrated. Don Willis, her attorney. “I have another call, Miss Dewitt. I appreciate your concern. I know Gib exaggerates sometimes; however, Mr. Jacobs does seem genuinely fond of my brother.

“Interesting.”

Very.

Alexis turned her attention to her long lost public defender. “Don? I thought you’d forgotten me?” Forgotten or ignored, since she refused his numerous offers to take her to dinner.

“You’re aware the hearings have been moved up to Thursday?”

“Yes, the clerk called. No explanation as to why.”

“I’m a little confused myself as to why Jan made the request.”

“Odd. Gib’s only talked to her once since the revised neglect petition and Gib’s probation violation.”

“You need to sit, Alexis.”

She took a deep breath and sat on the edge of her desk. “Spit it out, Don.”

“Seems someone of interest has a pending custody petition on Gib and wants to take him off your hands.”

“Off my hands! You make it sound like I don’t want him.”

“Not what I meant.”

“Who’s this mystery person?”

“Ethan Jacobs.”

She was glad she’d taken Don’s advice to sit. “Why?”

“You know how it is with these celebrities. They think they can save the world by adopting some poor kid.”

Gib was not a charity case. He was her brother, a child loved and cared for to the best of her ability. “And the court agrees to this without my say so?”

“The law guardian wants to avoid foster care, or worse yet, institutionalization. Let’s be honest, Alexis. You haven’t had any success keeping Gib out of trouble and it’s not looking good for you right now on the neglect petition, either, not with ten previous investigations.”

“Unfounded.”

“By mitigating circumstances, and still able to be considered in this petition. The DSS lawyer plans to demonstrate a pattern of neglect. He has a good case against you.”

Alexis wiped away fresh tears.
How unfair
.

“I can show Gib’s culpability in most of the fires he set, how you’ve been diligent to keep the house free of matches, and explain he steals them from the convenient store down the road—verified by the probation violation charges.”

Her voice cracked as she struggled against the tears. “He’ll steal, run away, and set fires no matter where he lives.”

“The counselor says he sets fires because he’s angry at you.”

“Why?”

“You’re alive and your parents aren’t, according to the report I read.”

“Something I can’t change.”

“You can’t keep Gib safe, Alexis. You’ll have to let him go.”

God, where are you?

“How can Ethan Jacobs waltz into town and take Gib away?”

“Apparently he’s observed Gib with the law guardian on two separate occasions before coming to Jasper Falls.”

“Without my knowledge?”

“This is a fight you won’t win Alexis. I recommend you accept Jan Mackendrick’s plea deal.”

“Which is?”

“Admission of guilt from Gib on the petit larceny, continued probation for twelve months, custody with Department of Social Services, and physical placement with Mr. Jacobs.”

“Doesn’t he have to be cleared by a home study like I was when I came to take care of Gib after my parents died?”

“Already done.”

“Behind my back again. So he gets Gib and I’ll never see my brother again?”

Alexis heard the impatient tapping of a pencil over Don’s cell.

“No. I’ll request a condition that Mr. Jacobs may not remove Gib from Jasper Falls. You’ll be allowed supervised visitation on his premises, one day a week.”

“And you think I should agree to this?”

“The alternative is not what you want, either. This is the lesser of two evils, Alexis.”

“If I don’t agree, I could be found guilty of child neglect?”

“Perhaps worse. I’ve seen Judge Richards render lengthy orders of protection in similar cases. If found guilty, it’s possible you wouldn’t be able to see Gib until he’s at least eighteen, possibly longer, given his disability.”

“I hate this. I never wanted to be rich … until now. Everyone thinks Ethan Jacobs’s money can keep Gib out of trouble. Look at all the famous people with messed up kids. Gib’s clever. He’ll find a way to circumvent his environment no matter where he lives or who his guardian is.”

“I know, Alexis. I had an autistic son, too.”

“Had?”

“He became a drug statistic two years ago.”

“Oh, Don. I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

“You see why I recommend this deal?”

“Okay. I don’t have to like it, do I?”

“No.”

“What do I tell Gib?”

“Nothing, right now. We’re meeting with Jan MacKendrick Wednesday morning. What arrangements did you make for Gib’s care during the holiday break?”

“He’ll be at the Gideon Foundation during the day while I’m working. My friend Jasmine will take care of him Wednesday night. I promised him he could still go to the benefit. I don’t know how all this is going to affect him. When would he move in with Ethan?”

“Are you on a first name basis with Mr. Jacobs?” Don’s tone sounded strained, perhaps coated with jealousy. “Are the rumor mills true? Have you two been dating?”

“Mr. Jacobs treated me, my friend, and Gib to a dinner in Albany. He said he wanted to meet Gib, and I didn’t see the harm. How was I supposed to know his ulterior motive? We did have one date at Taberg Tower. However, we have decided not to pursue a relationship at this time.”

“We or you?”

“Me.”

His sigh deep, as if wounded. “If it’s brought up, I’ll try to dismiss it as irrelevant since the petition is dated before you allegedly met Mr. Jacobs. I’ll meet you and Gib at Jan’s office at 10:00 Wednesday.”

Alexis disconnected.

She wanted to hate Ethan Jacobs
. God, I asked for someone to love Gib as I do. You send me a publicity-starved egomaniac who’ll use Gib to garner the love of the masses
. True, Ethan would provide every need imaginable for Gib. However, all the cowboy boots and Stetson hats in the world did not constitute love.

Chapter Ten

No Kyle or Tom on this trip. At least the warden had agreed to let him see Nancy in a private room for twenty minutes as long as a corrections officer was present.

Ethan wasn’t sure this woman was the same Nancy Morgan he had dated so long ago. The years had been unkind to her or maybe it was the drugs that caused her raspy voice. They saw each other a few times during his senior year and he had only dated her because his friends said she’d do anything for a few bucks. The rumors proved true.

Though her letter surprised him, her pregnancy and his paternity were not beyond the realm of possibility. What he didn’t understand was why she’d waited until after the Jennings’s accident to tell him about Gib. Maybe he’d get some answers today.

“Hello, Nancy.”

“Somebody pinch me. Ethan Jacobs has come to call. Never expected I’d see the Prince himself. I told your private detective everything he needed to know to prove you was Gib’s father.”

“I came to see if there was anything you needed. I’m sorry you dealt with all this by yourself. I thought you should know that, in all probability, Gib will come live with me. Why did you wait until last year to tell me about him? If you’d told me sooner—”

“You think more highly of yourself than you should, Ethan. Don’t you remember the way it was? I was a junkie and you were drunk a quarter of the time and stealing things. What kind of life could we have offered a kid? Besides, by the time I found out I was pregnant, you had left Jasper Falls and nobody knew where you were.”

“I didn’t tell anybody where I was going because I wasn’t sure myself. After I came to Nashville, I wanted to leave the old life behind.”

Nancy’s shrill laugh pained him more than fingernails on a chalkboard. “You didn’t though, not really. From what I hear, your demons followed you your whole life until recently. Maybe there’s hope for me.”

“There’s always hope. Who knew it’d take a kid to shake me up enough to finally seek help. With rehab and faith, I’m changed.”

She folded her hands together. “I’m happy for you, Ethan. I’ve been through rehab, twice. Wasn’t any help. After the last hospitalization, I was stupid. Got involved in an armed robbery. I’ll be in the slammer a long time.”

“I wish there was something I could do for you.”

“Making sure Gib’s okay will be enough.”

Nancy glanced toward the ceiling, and Ethan sensed her pain. “I might be a junkie, but I believe in God. Everybody told me I should get an abortion. I prayed for another way.”

“I’ve met, Gib. He’s a neat kid. I’m glad you didn’t go through with one.”

“A month later, Reverend and Mrs. Jennings moved to Jasper Falls to start the Community Church. I called him up for advice. He offered to adopt the baby and arrange for me to see the kid once in a while.” Nancy offered a smile as if she took pride in her child.

“When he asked who the father was, I lied. I said I’d slept around so there was no telling.”

“You mean, I was the only one? I thought—”

“I know the rumors. Truth was, I only slept with one guy at a time. So, while we was together, you was it.”

“I’m sorry, Nancy. Sorry I listened to the rumors and didn’t respect you more.”

“All in the past now. What’s done is done. Pastor Jennings paid for my doctor bills and I signed the adoption papers.”

Guilt pierced him. In some ways, Nancy had been far more righteous in her sacrifice than he tried to be now. “The Jennings were good people from what I know of them.”

“Last time I saw Gib, he was ten and seemed happy, so I knew I’d made the right decision. When I heard about their accident, I was worried what might happen to him.”

“I’m glad you finally told me.”

“I heard how successful you were. I figured if your drinking hadn’t messed up your career, maybe you could help Gib. Never figured you’d go the distance and take him in. Kid’s got real problems. Sure you can handle it?”

“I won’t know unless I try.”

Nancy nodded agreement. “Like me, Gib’s had a lot of people try to help him who couldn’t. I don’t want to see him end up a jailbird like his mother. The only ones who made a difference were Reverend and Mrs. Jennings. Why did God take those nice people and leave Gib alone?”

“Gib’s not alone. Alexis loves him. And I’ll do everything I can for him.”

“Long as you and Alexis don’t end up fighting each other. Can’t help Gib if you’re throwing stones at one another.”

“Sounds to me like you have a lot of love for him too, Nancy.”

“I do … why I gave him up. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest. Don’t go and mess the kid up more, Ethan.”