Page 41 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

“Yes, but that doesn’t diminish the magnitude of what she did,” I say too sharply, then try to rein in my misguided frustration. “I don’t know how any of you would feel about giving up your career to chase a gaggle of kids, but I don’t think I could do it.”

“You can’t even commit to a woman for a week, so we wouldn’t expect you to,” Flynn jokes.

I clench my jaw, because I was ready to commit to Ellie after two fucking days. My words come back to me. I thought my siblings were out of their minds, falling in love so fast. But I think I’m starting to understand how it happened. Holy shit. I wasn’t ready to commit. I already had. Did I scare her off? The thought burns through me, threatening to steal my focus, but my siblings would never let me live that down, so I force my attention back to them.

“As I was saying,” I say curtly. “I know Mom’s not into being in the spotlight, and she and Dad are playing this event off like it’s not a big deal, but it is a big deal. This is the first time she’s allowed her work to be shown in a gallery, and I think bringing some attention to the event would be a nice way for us to thank her for all those years.”

Our mother has never had any interest in having her work featured in galleries until recently, when an old friend of our father’s asked if she would allow him to show her work as part of a wildlife exhibit to benefit the Wild Habitat Collective, an organization our family has supported for years.

“But Mom doesn’t want attention,” Clay says.

“Do you think that’s true?” I ask. “Or has she always played second fiddle to Dad and to all of us, and it’s become her comfort zone?”

As they look at one another contemplatively, my mind trips back to Ellie and how she changed her career to care for her father. I want to pick that apart, but I can’t afford to get lost in her right now, so I push the thoughts down deep and say, “What I have in mind will help bring funds into the Wild Habitat Collective in her honor. And before you say it, yes, we can all give generously, but this is about honoring Mom, and I think it’ll mean more to bring in people she’s worked with over the years who adore and respect her as a person and an artist.”

“I love that idea,” Victory says. “I can talk to Patsy and get the contact info for Mom’s old friends and colleagues she’s worked with over the years.” Patsy was our mother’s assistant for many years, and she’s still one of her closest friends.

“That would be great. Flynn, I was thinking that Sutton could ask Leni to run a PR campaign, get it on mainstream and social media, and ask Andi’s brother Hawk to photograph the event for the family. Separate from the regular press that’ll be there. I’ll pay for everything.” Leni Steele is a sought-after PR rep who lives in the city, and Andi Pennington is Sutton’s research assistant. Her brother Hawk is a renowned photographer.

“I’m sure they’d love to help. Sutton and I will spread the word, too,” Flynn says.

“I’ll tell Dane and Jack and the guys about it, and spread the word through our industries,” Noah offers excitedly.

Our cousin Dane and his brother-in-law, Jack Remington, are two of Noah’s partners at the Real DEAL (Discover, Experience, Appreciate, Learn), a total immersion exploratory park for kids that includes educational exhibits and hands-on activities. Dane is also the founder of the Brave Foundation, which uses education and innovative advocacy programs to protect sharks, and in a broader sense, the world’s oceans, and Jack Remington is former Special Forces and a survival guide. Both are well connected to the wildlife industries.

“Pepper and I can help get the word out, too,” Clay says. “And I’m happy to help with logistics and anything else you need.”

“That’d be great,” I say.

“But how about we all split the cost?” Clay suggests.

“Whatever you’re comfortable with,” I say.

“I’d be more comfortable if I came up with the idea,” Clay says. “Damn, bro. You deserve major brownie points for this.”

I cock an arrogant grin and say, “Not everyone can be as thoughtful as me,” earning more ribbing. “All kidding aside, I was hoping we could keep this between us and play it off like we don’t know who organized it or why.”

Victory’s brow furrows. “I thought you wanted to thank her.”

“This is my way of thanking her,” I say. “I don’t need to be acknowledged for it. Do you?”

“No, not really,” she says at the same time Flynn and Noah say, “No.”

“Clay?” I ask, holding his gaze.

“I’m thinking,” Clay says with a grin.

“Dude, really?” Flynn says.

“Fine, but Mom always gives us those hugs that last forever when we do something big.” Clay feigns a pout. “I like those hugs.”

“You’re so needy!” Victory teases, and we all laugh. “Seth, the one downfall to your plan is that we’ll be missing out on a huge resource without Grandma’s and Grandpa’s contacts.”

“I think we can tell Gramps,” Flynn says. “He’s been keeping secrets his entire life. Every potential dig site starts as a secret. Sometimes they stay that way for years.”

We all agree, and then we finish working out the plans.

Before we end the call, Noah says, “Hey, Seth, when are you leaving for Australia?”