Page 87 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

She takes off her glove and walks over to the wall. Pressing her hand to it, she closes her eyes. My chest constricts at the peaceful expression coming over her beautiful face. When she opens her eyes, she walks along the edge of the wall, her fingertips trailing over the ragged surface, like she’s memorizing it.

I’m fairly certain she is. Her eyes take on the same intensity as when she’s drawing. She was so excited about going caving. I get the feeling there’s a side of her that is just waiting to explore our big, beautiful world, and there’s nothing I want more than to be the one who opens those doors for her. But I know she wants to stick close to home for Frank. Frank, on the other hand, is hard to read. Half the time I think he does risky shit to get her to stick around, and the other half I wonder if he’s trying to push her farther from the nest.

Ellie looks up at the ceiling and says, “I thought it might feel a little creepy down here, but it doesn’t. It feels almost holy.”

“She’s a stunner,” Frank says, joining her.

“She sure is,” I say, eyes locked on Ellie.

Ellie looks over, catching me staring, and gives me a look that says she wouldn’t trade this moment for the world.

Neither would I, sweetheart. Neither would I.

When I pull out my phone and snap a picture, she rolls her eyes.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re the prettiest thing in here.” I pocket my phone and kiss her.

“Gettin’ better at those lines, Braden,” Frank says.

“Thanks. I’m trying. Think you two can stay out of trouble while I get the equipment set up?”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Frank says.

I put canvas rope pads around two rock formations to protect them, then secure a rope around them, using one as a primary rig point and the other as a secondary rig point, in case one gives. Then I do the same a few feet away with a second line. I’m sure Ellie can make it up and down that shaft, and I’m ninety percent sure Frank can, but I want to descend beside him, in case he runs into trouble.

Once the ropes are secure, we put on our seat and chest harnesses.

“You’re sure about this rig?” Frank asks, fidgeting with the equipment. “Or are you setting yourself up for another headline: Hotshot Businessman Earns Brownie Points Rescuing Girlfriend’s Father?”

“If that’s all it takes, Frank, then maybe I ought to recheck your equipment,” I joke.

Frank grumbles something I can’t make out, but his eyes are smiling even if his mouth isn’t.

“Are you ready to do this?” I ask.

“Yes!” Ellie exclaims, bouncing on her toes.

“All right. We’ll do it just like when we practiced. Try to keep three points of contact with the wall of the pit at all times, and go down slow and steady. Frank, how are your hands? Think you can do this, or do you want my help?”

“My hands are fine,” he snaps. Then he waggles his finger at me. “Just don’t let anything happen to my daughter.”

“I never will. That’s a promise.”

“Now, that line gets an A-plus,” Frank announces.

I’ll take it, and the way Ellie is beaming, it looks like she will, too.

“Do you remember how to work the equipment to control your speed on the way down?”

“Yes,” Ellie says.

“Frank?”

“My brain still works. I didn’t forget,” Frank barks.

“I didn’t think you did,” I reassure him, knowing it’s his nerves barking at me.

“Are you going first?” Frank asks.