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

be sure to ask her opinion before making offers that might go against her sensibilities. He couldn’t tell her how he’d bought the hat and boots before coming to Jasper Falls and in his excitement hadn’t considered Gib’s cognitive impairment. Then again, why should he feel guilty for lavishing gifts on his son when he could well afford them?
    As a parent, he had a lot to learn about when to give and when to withhold. He supposed a kid like Gib made these choices doubly difficult. How many more mistakes would he make? Would he have to turn into a sergeant at arms to keep Gib safe as Alexis had done?
    Ethan shot a prayer of thanks to God for abundant resources to help Gib. He hoped after Thursday, Alexis would eventually see the pluses—and overlook his inexperience related to kids with disabilities. Didn’t most parents learn from on-the-job training?
    “There’s the Gideon Foundation,” Gib said as the limo pulled up in front of a brick structure Ethan recognized as the Duncan Mansion, the home of the famed Scottish mill owner who’d employed half of Jasper Falls in the early 1900s. There was a time when he knew every inch of the estate.
    Ethan fell asleep during English and Math classes, but History had fascinated him. He enjoyed learning about the rise and fall of the millionaires who invaded the Adirondacks, people like the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers, political figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Abner Duncan. Some lost their holdings during the Great Depression and their magnificent properties were bought as inns or donated to charity. At least the Duncan Mansion had found renewed purpose with the Gideon Foundation. When the place came up for auction last year at the same time the Gideon Foundation announced its intention to open a satellite in Jasper Falls, logic told him to purchase it with the proviso that his donation remain anonymous.
    “Did you know Abner Duncan was as much a philanthropist as Andrew Carnegie?” Ethan asked Alexis.
    “Carnegie spent millions assuaging his guilt. Speaking of philanthropy, I understand an anonymous donor purchased this land for the Gideon Foundation. Wasn’t you, was it Ethan?”
    He blushed.
    “It was, wasn’t it?”
    “That is something I can neither confirm nor deny.”
    “Figures.”
    “So, why is the Duncan Mansion considered a perfect location for the Gideon Foundation?” Jasmine asked. “I know he came to the United States from Scotland and worked as a lumberjack before he connived his way into politics and became a congressman, investing heavily into the railroads.”
    Ethan stared at the mansion as he climbed from the limo. “Truth is, the man made his millions selling and transporting opium from Canada to New York City. When his son died from an overdose, he was brought to his knees, a penitent sinner if you will. He opened up clinics to help people with addictions, instituting a ‘higher power’ concept long before AA and NA.”
    Alexis tilted her head and stared at Ethan like a confused puppy at its master. Maybe she’d scratched off a few items from her list of reasons not to like him. Gib went on ahead, affording Ethan the opportunity to let Alexis know the Gideon staff planned to allow Gib to serve as the group’s guide.
    Gib pointed out places the staff didn’t know existed. He explained the program scheduling and services offered, perhaps not in the same vernacular as an administrator, yet every bit as efficiently. When they left the building, Ethan motioned for Gib to go ahead to the limo. “I need to ask your sister a question.”
    “Oh, man!” Gib obeyed with only a little shuffle of his feet. Ethan sidled next to Alexis. “I stocked the refrigerator with snacks. I figured I’d better make sure you didn’t mind before I offered them to Gib.”
    “You ask me about snacks but not $600 boots?”
    Ethan felt the blush erupt.
    “Yes, snacks are fine. Gib needs calories. He’s on Adderall, which diminishes his appetite.