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

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