A Christmas Prayer: An Autistic Child, a Father's Love, a Woman's Heart (Christmas Romance) by Linda Wood Rondeau

to his meetings with his attorney. Until he became a Christian, he only dated during his binges, the circumstances and the women he couldn’t recall. He didn’t know what a date might be like as a sober Christian with a Christian woman. “No concert, I promise.”
    “So where to tomorrow?”
    “Do you have a snow suit?”
    “Sort of. A jacket and water-proof pants I use to shovel the driveway.”
    “I hear snow tubing is a blast. I’ve never been. Up to it?”
    “Sounds like fun. Sure.”
    “Okay.” He wished he were with her now. Alexis was not a woman who could be rushed. If only he had more time.

Chapter Seven
    One hundred and forty heads turned when Ethan Jacobs entered the church with Kyle and Tom leading the way, Ethan in the middle, and two more cops-for-hire behind him. Why so much security in a church this small? Did they have to guard the bathroom door when he had a nature break?
    Ethan slid into their pew and sat between Alexis and Gib.
    Gib cranked his head every direction except forward. With a big smile, he scanned the congregation and pointed toward Ethan while shaking his head up and down.
    “Gib, turn around and pay attention.”
    “Yes, Alexis.” He played with the hymn books and scratched his head, then squirmed in his seat as the younger children performed their songs. The teens also had put together a couple of humorous skits. But Gib had opted to sing a solo rather than participate in the group activity. If Alexis had known ahead of time, she’d have encouraged him to take part. Unfortunately, leaders and teachers were quick to approach Gib without coming to her first. Too often, he had difficulty processing questions starting with, “Gib, would you like to …”
    Gib fidgeted throughout each part of the program amidst Ethan’s perplexed scowls. Did he not understand autistic children were naturally squirrely? She supposed anyone not used to Gib’s antsy ways might think his behavior inappropriate for his age. Although, his clicking and sliding seemed more exaggerated than usual. She leaned over and whispered, “Are you nervous about singing today?”
    Gib’s head drooped and he bit his lip. “A little.”
    “You’ll do fine,” Ethan said. He put out his hand, and Gib shook it, a smile returning to his face.
    Alexis glanced at the program. Two more carols before Gib’s solo. As he normally did, Gib sat forward during congregational singing to beat out the rhythm, albeit softly, on the pew ahead. Ethan stretched his hand as if to stop Gib, but Alexis shook her head as a warning. The small congregation had no issue with Gib’s sound effects.
    Maybe instead of a guitar for Christmas, I should have bought him a set of drums.
    Pastor Olney came to the pulpit. “We’re honored to have Ethan Jacobs with us this morning. When I asked him to sing, he said we would be treated with a much better performance from Gibson Jennings.”
    Alexis prayed.
    Gib walked up to the platform in his usual, what he called funky way: a mixed saunter, slide, and gallop. To no one’s surprise, he sang A Christmas Prayer , except for his boy’s soprano, with every note, pause, and reflection as if Ethan Jacobs had sung it himself. The congregation stood to express their appreciation.
    Gib squished his lips to mimic a fish and took his seat.
    As Pastor Olney came to the pulpit to lead the last carol, Ethan shook Gib’s hand and whispered in Alexis’s ear. “We’ll pick you up at your house. Can’t wait.” He left with his bodyguards in tow. While others looked confused, she supposed Ethan had grown accustomed to a lifestyle of late arrivals and early exits, the bane of fame.
    Like a silly teenager pairs herself with her newest love interest, Alexis imagined being married to a celeb like Ethan Jacobs then quickly dismissed the idea. Life with Gib was complicated enough.

Chapter Eight
    Alexis shook off the snow from her all-weather outer pants. “I must admit. This was a lot of fun.”
    Especially