A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) (6 page)

Chapter Eleven

Alexis hugged the bed a few extra minutes. Morning brightness filled her room. How could the sun shine when her heart ached? She rose from bed and glanced out the window. Patches of green still dotted the ground underneath the frost. She hadn’t made a snowman with Gib yet this year because his behavior was so outrageous he’d been a prisoner in his own home. Maybe with Ethan, Gib wouldn’t have to have locks on every door.

She’d planned to sign him up for Little League this year, a chance to enjoy the outdoors with supervised activity. She’d talked to the association president and explained Gib’s circumstances. Though technically too old, he thought that given Gib’s smaller physical stature, the board might vote for an exception.

If only she had more time, Gib might straighten out. Everyone agreed that he was still grieving. No
one could guess how much longer the process would take for him, nor if his emotions would become more charged. Gib’s inability to express his inner feelings had to make processing the loss ten times more difficult. It seemed taking him away from his home would only add more layers of grief.

From her early days at her father’s knee, he’d taught her to put the impossible into the hands of the omnipotent God. Helpless to fight a government machine, what else could she do?

She woke Gib, gave him his morning meds, and listened to his songs as he showered. How sad to stunt his exuberance with pills so he could focus enough to put on his clothes.

Gib wanted to wear his cowboy outfit but Alexis wasn’t sure how the court would perceive his wardrobe choices. Would the judge rule against her ability to supervise basic functions like getting dressed? Then again, why couldn’t Gib wear clothes that held meaning for him? She had tried to explain the concept of court decorum. A compromise was reached and Gib agreed to leave the hat at home as long as he could wear the boots and didn’t have to wear a coat, arguing he didn’t need one just to go from the house to the car to an office.

A logical thought she didn’t have time to debate.

Don greeted them with a handshake when they arrived. “Gib, do you know why you’re here today?”

His eyes widened. “I’m in more trouble because I borrowed stuff from the store?”

“What stuff?”

“Comics, candy bars, and matches. Am I going to jail?”

“Not jail. You could be sent to a special place, though, for boys who steal. We hope not. We’re going to see if we can find a way for you to pay the store back. It’s called restitution. You’ll have to see a probation officer once a week, take drug tests, see your counselors, and maybe help with cleaning duties at the Gideon Foundation.”

Gib scowled. “I can’t remember all that.”

“We’ll help you,” Jan said.

“Okay.”

Don crossed his legs. “There’s something else, Gib. Judge Richards may decide you can’t live with Alexis anymore.”

Gib punched the chair. “So? She doesn’t want me.”

Alexis had kept quiet, allowing Gib the chance to process Don’s warnings. This accusation stung. “Not true. I love you. What makes you think I don’t want you with me?”

“You said you’d rather be in Los Angeles with Jasmine.”

“Also not true. I like Jasper Falls.”

“I heard you and Jasmine talking. You said if things had been different, you’d rather be in Los Angeles.”

“When?”

“At the funeral.”

She remembered saying something to that effect, but certainly not in that context. “You understand, Gib. I hated to leave Los Angeles because our parents died. Not because I had to take care of you. I chose to. I need you to believe me.”

“Maybe.”

“Miss MacKendrick doesn’t think I take good care of you. She wants you to live with someone else.”

“Who?”

“Ethan Jacobs.”

“Why?”

“Ethan wants to help you. He has a big house. He’ll have horses, and you can finally get a dog like you always wanted. You’ll have people living with you to help you make better choices so you don’t get into trouble.”

“Do I have to live with Ethan?”

“I thought you liked Ethan?”

“I do. Will you live there, too?”

“No, Gib. I can visit, though.”

Gib sobbed, and in uncharacteristic affection, threw his arms around her. “I don’t want to live with Ethan. I want to stay with you.”

Don looked at Jan MacKendrick then back at Alexis. “Gib, we need you to try.”

Gib pouted and said nothing.

“Alexis, you and Gib wait in the lobby for a minute while Jan and I talk the plan through one more time.”

His hands balled, Gib’s sighs turned into moans as soon as they returned to the lobby. Kicking over the coffee table, he screamed, “Nobody’s going to tell me what to do anymore!” Before Alexis could grab him, Gib was out the door and out of view.

Chapter Twelve

Alexis parked the car in her driveway. Should she wait at the house as Kyle suggested, in case Gib came home, or join the search? She checked the weather report on her cell phone. Twenty degrees and dropping to five below overnight. Gib had no coat. She now wished she had let him wear his Stetson hat like he’d wanted. A hat would at least have kept him a little warm. Her cell buzzed. Jasmine … not Kyle with good news as she hoped.

“Girl, no arguments. I’m on my way over.” She disconnected before Alexis could rebut. Their editor in Los Angeles would have expected both of them to return to work and let the police do their job. There was something to be said about a small town where locals looked out for one another. “Buck said for us to take all the time we needed.”

Over the years, she and Jasmine had taken turns holding each other’s hands and praying through crisis upon crisis. Alexis was there for Jasmine when her sister took her last breath, another casualty of Sickle-cell Anemia. Alexis wondered what she would have done without Jasmine’s presence and counsel since coming to Jasper Falls.

When she arrived, Alexis fell into her friend’s embrace. Jasmine stroked her hair with all the love of a mother. “Ssh, girl. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. God’s got it!”

“I’m scared, Jasmine. The last few times Gib’s bolted, they found him in the quarry, asleep behind a big boulder. Kyle’s checked every place Gib’s hidden before. Nothing.”

“Gib knows enough to get out of the cold. Maybe he found a barn to hide in. They’ll find him.”

They fell into silence; best friends didn’t need to say everything aloud. Jasmine put water on to boil, steeped Alexis’s favorite tea, and put the cup in front of her. “Drink it. No arguments.”

“Should I call Ethan?”

“What for? Between Kyle and the law guardian, he’s apt to know more than you.”

“I should call Buck and beg off on the Mayor’s Dinner. There are plenty of more important people than me who can present the award to Ethan. I’d rather not. Things are weird enough between us. I’m keeping civil for Gib’s sake, but I won’t lie to you. It’s an act.”

“I’ll handle the Mayor’s Dinner if you want.”

The cell rang. Alexis checked the number. “It’s Ethan. Should I answer it? I don’t think I can talk to him. Who does he think he is waltzing into our lives like he owns Jasper Falls? What does he think he’ll gain by getting custody of Gib? Maybe he wants to make Gib the poster child for his fund raising efforts with Gideon Foundation Network.”

“Alexis .. you’re rambling. Answer the phone.”

“Ethan?”

“Alexis, I’m at rehearsal. Any word on Gib yet? Anything I can do?”

“I don’t think so. You’re the reason he ran off.”

“Me? I haven’t seen Gib since Sunday. And I’ve been at rehearsal last night and all morning.”

“Gib doesn’t want to live with you.”

“He said that?”

“Not in those words.” Her body shook with rage. “He said he wants to stay with me.”

“Not possible, though, is it?”

“Apparently not, especially after this latest episode. There’s no way the court will reconsider. In their eyes, I’ve only proven I’m unfit to manage him. Heck, even I think Gib’s safer with you.”

“Really? Are we friends again?”

“Only in matters related to Gib.”

“Alexis, I’ve been thinking.”

“Don’t Ethan. Don’t think. Whatever happens Thursday, we’ll deal with it.”

“Alexis … I—”

Alexis heard a car pull into the driveway and checked through the window. Jasper Police. Probably Kyle. “Have to go. Kyle’s here. Maybe there’s news.”

* * *

She had disconnected before he’d had a chance to “come clean” as she’d said, intending to disclose his relationship to Gib, judge’s order or not.

He called Kyle. “I already know you’re at Alexis’s. Any luck?”

“No.”

“Need help?”

“Not yet. I stopped by to see if Alexis had any other ideas where Gib might have gone. I know you think highly of the kid, but stay where you are. Can’t get you a detail and look for Gib, too.”

For the first time, he realized his presence in Jasper Falls had inconvenienced many, and he had not been the help he’d intended to be. “Doesn’t the kid have a GPS tracker? I hear they’re becoming more popular for disabled children.”

“Alexis tried a few different ones. Gib ditched all of them.”

“You’ll call me if you find him?”

“Third on my list of notifications.”

“Third?”

“Alexis and my chief before you.”

Awareness bruised. As far as Jasper Falls was concerned, Ethan Jacobs, a rising star of Country Music, was not their king. He was subject to the rule of law here as anywhere. He had thought that perhaps he could return, throw his money around, and the town would honor him as their favorite son. Respect must be earned, not bought.

He loved Gib, perhaps more from duty, though the more he knew of him, the larger his love became. Alexis showed more love through locked cabinets than Ethan did with a roomful of Tony Lama boots.

When he first learned about Gib, he was an issue, a problem, something Ethan’s Christian nature told him to fix. How? What was God’s plan? Had the Lord given him an opportunity to correct the mistake he’d made long ago? He told Jan MacKendrick he’d be happy to slow his career down, write more songs, and be on the road less. Hardly a sacrifice. He’d never liked being a roadie.

Ethan returned to his band. “Danny, can I borrow your rental?”

His bass guitarist looked up with questioning eyes. “If you smash it, you pay the penalty.”

“Of course.”

Danny tossed him the keys.

“You guys keep rehearsing without me. Make sure you break for lunch. On me.”

“Where to in such a hurry?”

“Have a hunch where the kid is.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ethan remembered his old hiding place, a quarter mile behind the Duncan Mansion, beyond the encircling thickets and forestry. He wondered if the trail still led to the small, secluded pond that dropped fifteen feet below the steep embankment in most places. Sometimes, he’d go there with a liquor bottle and a girl. Only the serious hikers and those seeking refuge from the tumult knew of its existence. Those who did made it their special place, secreted from most of Jasper Falls.

Over the last few days, Ethan had grown acutely aware of Gib’s ability to disappear underneath the noses of the Gideon staff, something Ethan had also excelled at in his youth. Gib found hiding places known only to the architects and the extremely curious. Not so unlikely for him to know about the pond and its only access point.

Ethan combed his hair forward, slipping on sunglasses and a cap he kept in his jacket for those times he didn’t want to be recognized. If memory served him right, the dirt access road would take him most of the way through the forest. He’d have to hike the rest of the way. He trudged through the snow, carefully marking the trees so he could find his way back.

When he reached the drop-off, he called out for Gib. No response—only his own echo. A deer grazing on the other side caught his attention. There it was, the clearing and graduated slope where he had run away to so many times in his youth. He followed the treacherous rock ledges along the embankment until he reached the clearing.

He remembered the series of large boulders at the pond’s edge. He looked behind the largest one first. There was Gib, fast asleep, his small head peeking up from a mound of pines. Ethan crouched next to Gib and gently shook his coverings.

Gib’s eyes shot open. “How did you find me?”

“I used to come here when I was a kid.” Ethan left out the reasons. “Better question is how did
you
know about this place?”

“My father used to fish here with a friend of his. One day he brought me along. He said it was a secret place and not to tell anyone. And I never did.”

Ethan helped Gib climb out of the shelter, a slightly recognizable lean-to against the boulder. Ethan took off his leather jacket and handed it to Gib. “Did you make this lean-to?”

“I found it. Like how I redesigned it into a bed?”

“Very clever. What did you use to cut the branches with?”

Gib pointed to a shrub on the right side of the clearing. “I buried a Swiss army knife by that shrub last time I was here.”

“When was that?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Fair enough. You know you can’t stay here, Gib.”

“Why not?”

“How will you find food?”

“I don’t know.”

“Are you hungry now?”

“A little.”

Ethan searched his pockets. “I have half a granola bar.”

“I don’t like granola bars.”

“Will you tell me why you ran away?”

“I don’t have anywhere to live.”

Ethan handed his cap to Gib. “Sure you do. You can live with me.”

Gib kicked the boulder. “Do I have to?”

“Would you at least try staying at my place? I promise it won’t be as bad as it seems.”

“Can I have a puppy?”

“Absolutely.”

“What about my cars and comics?”

“Bring them with you.”

“Can Alexis come, too?”

How much he’d like it if she did. But even if she could, she wouldn’t. She’d sooner swallow a rattlesnake. “No, Gib. I won’t lie to you.”

“I want to stay with Alexis.”

“You know, she’s really worried about you. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll talk about what you want. Maybe I’ll stop and get some fried chicken on the way to your house.”

“I like fried chicken.”

“Let’s go, then.”

“Okay. If they make me go live with you, I’ll run away again.”

“You don’t like me?”

“Sure I do. I like Alexis more.”

Ethan scratched his head as small flakes of snow began to fall. No offense taken. How arrogant to think he could win Gib’s love with things. Impaired cognitive functioning or not, Gib sensed how much Alexis loved him. No matter how many people Ethan hired to shadow Gib, the truth remained. He belonged with Alexis.

* * *

Jasmine brought Alexis another cup of tea and half a baloney sandwich. “Don’t you keep any luncheon meat for yourself?”

She pushed the tea and plate aside. “I’ve learned to like baloney.”

“You have to eat girl. You need your energy if you’re going to find Gib.”

“I can’t find him sitting here, can I? He ran off without a coat and the temps are dropping. It’s supposed to snow tonight.”

A car pulled into the drive … one Alexis didn’t recognize.

A tall, lanky man emerged. Something seemed familiar although he wore sunglasses on a cloudy December day, a doubly odd combination with a thin denim shirt. Alexis caught the leaf design on his expensive boots. Ethan without his bodyguards?

He went to the other side of the car and Gib crawled out wearing a baseball cap and a man’s leather jacket, the sleeves hanging below his arms and the waistband around his knees.

She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. As she expected, he wriggled free from her embrace. “Don’t!”

“Where did you find him?”

“At the pond behind the Duncan Mansion.”

“Kyle and a group of volunteers have been searching the property in case Gib crawled into an undiscovered closet or crawled underneath a cedar bush. No one thought to go beyond the stone wall though. It’s pretty high.”

Gib laughed. “I climbed the wall like Spiderman, like only a spidy can!”

Alexis cocked her head. “Gib?”

Ethan smiled. “Not impossible to climb … got over that wall more than once when I was a kid.”

“How did you know to look there?”

“A hunch.”

Gib and Ethan exchanged a high-five. “A good one, eh, Ethan?”

“Why is Gib in such a good mood?”

Ethan opened the car’s back door and pulled out a bucket of fried chicken.

“Did you remember the banana cream pie?” Alexis asked.

Ethan took out the second package. “Right here.”

“Glad you found him. Getting bitter cold out there.”

Ethan and Gib exchanged glances. Apparently, they had made the first secret between them.

Ethan shivered. “Better go inside before the food gets cold.”

“Of course. You’ll stay and share it with us?”

“I need to get back to rehearsal.” Ethan paused when Gib’s face drooped. “But a few more minutes won’t matter.”

“It’s time for
Avatar
,” Gib said. “Will you watch it with me, Ethan?”

“You have half an hour yet. Why don’t you eat first? Go ahead and start it. We’ll join you later.”

“Are you going to tell Alexis what we talked about?”

“Some of it … not the part you asked me to keep secret.”

“Okay.”

She’d hoped to make this last night with Gib special. Perhaps add some popcorn into the mix. “I need to call Kyle—”

“Already did.”

“What about the Mayor’s Dinner tonight?”

“As long as I get there before the presentation.”

“Jasmine’s doing the honors tonight …”

Gib scowled. “You should go, Alexis.”

Ethan nodded in agreement. “He’s right.”

“Why?”

“I’ll explain after we eat,” Ethan said. “I’m hungry.”

Jasmine had already put paper plates on the table. Ethan said grace and everyone dug in. Gib finished first. “Can I watch
Avatar
now?”

“Sure,” Alexis said, always amazed at the contradiction—how Gib’s unpredictable mind craved the predictable.

Ethan, Jasmine and Alexis cleared the table, and Ethan took Alexis aside. “Here’s the thing. I know you hate me right now—”

“Hate’s a pretty strong word—”

“Don’t edit my speech.”

“Okay … spit it out.”

“Gib and I talked and he’s agreed to move in with me for a week and see if he likes it.”

“A week? I suppose, though in Gib’s mind, that’s a long time.”

“I think Gib needs to know you’ll be okay if he moves out. Which is why I think you should go to the Mayor’s Dinner tonight.”

She hadn’t realized how visibly she’d worn her heartbreak over current troubles. She recalled the counselor’s statement during one of their sessions. “Autistic children can sense negative emotions in the home. The fact they don’t express their feelings doesn’t preclude the fact they are as much emotional creatures as we are.”

“Ethan, I hate it when you’re right.”

“There’s something else I need to tell you … very privately. Jasmine, do you mind watching Gib while I take Alexis for a drive?”

Alexis hesitated. Did she really want to be alone with Ethan Jacobs right now? “I don’t think I should rely on Jasmine so much.”

Jasmine laughed. “If you feel guilty, Ethan can buy me a pair of Tony Lama boots, too.”

He pulled Jasmine into a hug. “Consider it done. And when the dust settles, I want you to meet my manager, Max. You two would like each other, I’m sure of it.”

“If he’s half as cute as you, I know I’ll be charmed. Get out of here you two.”

* * *

A gentle snow fell as Ethan guided Alexis to the pond. “I wanted to show you where Gib took off to in case he tries to hide there again.”

When they reached the pond, Alexis gasped at the beauty. “My father mentioned a place nearby, so beautiful it literally took your breath away. This must be it.” She sat on a boulder and pulled up the collar on her parka. “I’ll remember, but tomorrow he becomes your responsibility. I plan on going back to Los Angeles. Jasmine thinks that me being in town while you have Gib might be too confusing for him.”

Would life go on without Alexis Jennings in it? Probably. But he didn’t want it to. “Before you make any hasty decisions, there’s something you need to know.”

“If I’m going to the Mayor’s Dinner, I need to be getting back.”

“In a few minutes. Hear me out. You’re right, Gib doesn’t want to live with me.”

“I don’t know why he wouldn’t. There’s nothing you wouldn’t give him. I still don’t understand why you want him to live with you. This whole thing makes me shiver with anger. It’s not fair. Money talks, I guess. Is this a publicity thing or something more?”

“Your intuition is spot on, Alexis. I’m under court order not to tell anyone, especially you.” Did he dare cross that line? He must. “I’m Gib’s father.”

Alexis’s face reddened, the heat of her accusation burned into his conscience. “If that’s true, where have you been all these years? Why are you showing yourself now?”

“Try to understand. I didn’t know about Gib. I left town before he was born and his mother never told me. A few days before last Christmas, she wrote me a letter. Said I had a son she gave up for adoption at birth and how your parents’ accident upset his life. She also mentioned a sister had moved in to take care of him. She asked me to leave well enough alone, but wanted me to know about Gib in case he needed anything.”

“Your money might make life easier for Gib. But what he truly needs, money can’t buy.”

“I had to try. I hired a private detective and verified everything Nancy said in her letter. DNA testing confirms I’m Gib’s father. I didn’t want to show up drunk. Finding out I had a son pulled me out of the dark hole of alcoholism. I wrote
A
Christmas Prayer
for the son I had yet to meet.”

“I should have been told. I am his legal guardian, at least until tomorrow. Who else knows?”

“Only Judge Richards, Jan MacKendrick, my lawyers, and the private detective. Gib’s biological mother, Nancy Morgan, is at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and will be for a long time.”

Alexis took deep breaths as if willing herself to calm. “I’m still angry and probably will be for a long time. I’m sorry it all comes out at you.”

“I’m sorry, too. I’d like it if you’d like me a little.”

“I don’t know how I feel about you. I think I do like you a little … okay … a lot. I know I don’t hate you.”

He wanted to kiss her and knew she’d let him. Instead, he took her hand into his.

Alexis met his gaze. “You see, I prayed, too, and asked God, if I couldn’t have Gib, to find him a home where he’d be loved. Looks like He answered both our prayers. Frankly, I don’t understand why you’d want to be saddled with a kid, any kid, let alone a kid with special needs. You could still walk away. No one would know. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“There’s so much about Gib to love, isn’t there? The reason you fight to keep him? It’s more than duty for you. Can’t you believe my motives are as pure as yours?”

“When it comes to autistic kids, nobility wears thin. Are you sure you can go the distance? You might have abundant resources; the job is still tougher than you could imagine. Do you love him enough?”

Did he? Gib had imprinted a permanent place in Ethan’s heart in the matter of a few days; and Ethan Jacobs would never be the same, no longer living his life for his own pleasure. Still, his love had not reached the same plane as Alexis’s. “Not like you. You’re willing to risk his wrath to keep him safe. I want him to like me.”

“Many days I’d give anything to see Gib smile at me the same way he does at Jasmine, Kyle, or you.”

Ethan put an arm around Alexis and led her back toward the car. “One thing I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been here, kids like Gib need constancy. Gib knows he can always count on you to be there when the world he desperately tries to control crumbles. You’re a far better parent than I could ever dream of being.”

“What are you saying, Ethan?”

“What I’m saying is I think there’s an alternative no one has considered.”