Read A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) for Free Online Page B

like yours, Ethan,” Gib said.
    “Mr. Jacobs to you.” How she tired of constant correction.
    “You can call me Ethan.”
    Alexis’s cheeks warmed. What nerve! He insulted her with a gift for Gib she could never match and then undermined her authority. “We’re trying to teach Gib not to assume a first name familiarity, but instead to wait until the adult gives permission.”
    Gib reached into the box again. “Hey, Alexis … look, there’s a hat in here, too.” He modeled the brown velvet Stetson.
    “I appreciate your generosity. The boots would have been quite enough.”
    Gib placed the hat on his head and held up the boots. “Can I put these on? Please?”
    How could she refuse him, his smile the whole width of his face? Of course, he’d want to see the full look in the upstairs mirror. “Okay, but be quick. We have to stop at the Gideon Foundation for a photo op.”
    Alexis glanced toward Ethan as he watched her brother go up the stairs. “Gib’s very excited about tonight, especially your gifts. Although, I’m curious how you knew his size.”
    Ethan’s eyes grew slightly larger as he veered his gaze toward her clock. Odd since he wore a Rolex. “Lucky guess.”
    Inexperienced liars, Alexis had learned from years of interviews, avoided eye contact. A chill traveled up her spine, like a warning before a storm. What was Ethan’s agenda where Gib was concerned?
    “Ethan, I don’t want to appear ungrateful for your generosity.”
    “But?”
    “Gib has a hard time processing these things. He tends to think once he’s been given something he should get it all the time. Give him a cookie after supper and he believes he should always have a cookie after supper. He’ll never settle for faux leather again. Cost doesn’t mean anything to him. When I tell him I can’t afford something, it doesn’t compute.”
    “I meant no harm. Kyle told me how much he—”
    Leave it to Jasmine to redirect a train heading for collision. “Maybe we should go now? We have a long ride and a stop to make.”
    “Maybe we should.”
    As they headed toward the limo, Ethan joked with Gib and Jasmine pulled Alexis behind, out of earshot.
    “What’s with you, girl? I’ve never seen you so riled around a stranger.”
    “He has an agenda, Jasmine. What gives him the right to think he can buy Gib?”
    “He’s not buying anyone, Alexis. Maybe he’s a nice guy trying to be kind to a kid with a disability. Celebs enjoy spreading their money around once in a while. If Gib gets a little benefit, so what?”
    “So what? I’m convinced there’s a hidden agenda within all this generosity, and it makes me uneasy. He’s a recovering alcoholic. What if there’s some other issue? What if he’s a pedophile? I don’t like the way he looks at me, either. Like he can buy me, too.”
    Jasmine skewered her resistance. “This is not Los Angeles. I’ve read a lot about Ethan Jacobs. So, he was a drunk. More like a binge drinker. There’s nothing in his history to indicate he likes boys. Or big boys either. I think you want to find fault with him because you like him.”
    “Do not.”
    “Do, too. Why can’t you accept the fact somebody like Ethan Jacobs might find you attractive because you’re as smart as you are pretty? Every time you meet somebody who might be good for you, you chase them away. The only men you let yourself date are poster boys for America’s Most Wanted.”
    “This conversation is getting us nowhere. Let’s not keep Prince Charming waiting. I don’t want him alone with Gib. He’s apt to give him his Rolex next.”
    * * *
    Ethan helped the women into the limo and directed Gib to the seat away from the refrigerator. Alexis seemed very protective of her brother and he respected her for it. Unfortunately, like manure hidden under straw, Ethan somehow managed to step into trouble. Seemed the more he tried to win the fair maiden’s approval, the more irritated she became. For the rest of the evening, he’d