Page 91 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

The death stare he gives me would be comical if I weren’t cursing myself for planning too big an outing for him.

“Buck up, Dad,” Ellie hollers from above. “There’s nothing you can’t do.”

That lights a fire under his ego, and as I slide the ascender up his rope, he pulls his trembling legs up.

“Now give it all you’ve got,” I say.

Frank’s face contorts as he straightens his legs, rising closer to the rim of the pit.

“Yes!” Ellie hollers.

“I knew you had it in you,” I say to Frank as I ascend my rope, and then I haul myself out of the pit, heart pounding, and unhook my equipment.

Ellie gives me a worried look. “What now?”

“Now I get him out.” I lie on my stomach and reach over the edge. “Frank, I’m going to pull you out of there, but you have to use your toes for leverage on the wall and push up as I pull. Once your arms are over the edge, you need to use everything you have to help me get you over. Now give me your hand.”

“Hand’s worthless,” he snarls.

“It’s not worthless.” I slide my hand past his and grip his forearm. “Grab hold of my forearm, hold as tight as you can, and use those legs. Ready?”

“Yup. Let’s do this.”

I grip the edge of the pit with one hand, pulling him up with the other. He groans and uses his feet, pushing up as I pull him over the edge, then grab his chest harness and haul him the rest of the way over.

Frank drags himself away from the edge and rolls onto his back, panting. “If this doesn’t prove I’ve still got some adventure left in me, nothing will.”

“Maybe this should be a warning that you’re trying to do too much,” Ellie suggests.

Frank scoffs. “Your old man’s not ready for the rocking chair yet, darlin’.”

“El, this one’s on me,” I say. “I shouldn’t have planned such a big trip.”

“That’s a load of crap,” Frank snaps. “My heart’s still beating. It’s just my fingers giving me trouble.” He sits up and pats Ellie’s hand. “You need to stop worrying. I may not be a strapping young man like Seth anymore, but I’m still kicking.”

“I know you are, Dad, but—”

“You hear me out, Taylor. It’s been a long time since you and I went on an adventure together. My hands might complain, but that’s a small price to pay for the smiles I earned today from the daughter who’s always yanking my chain. I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything.”

Ellie’s smile is slightly reluctant but wholly real. “I’m glad we did this, too. But buttering me up is not going to stop me from yanking your chain.”

Frank and I laugh.

As he starts talking about our future adventures and bucket lists, Ellie rolls her eyes and Frank ups the ante, musing about underwater caving and skydiving. Ellie’s laughter echoes around us, and I know Frank’s right. The risk, the pain, and the worry are all worth it. These are the moments that matter.

If there’s a better way to measure a life than this, I haven’t found it.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Taylor

“Okay, Bec, I have to ask,” I say, setting my mug on the table. “Why did we have to drive all the way across town to have an early lunch? I’d ask if you’re hiding from someone, but there’s no hiding in that dress.” It’s Wednesday, and we’re at the Daily Grind, a cute café across from Boyer University. Half the customers are checking out Becca in her cherry-red polka-dot dress with a fitted bodice that accentuates her assets and a sweetheart neckline. With bumper bangs, her hair rolled up in a faux bob, and a red silk scarf as a headband, she looks flirty and fearless in a room full of dressed-down college kids.

Becca leans forward and lowers her voice. “There’s a good-looking guy who comes here.”

“How do you know? You’re never here.”

“I have connections,” Becca says with a wave of her hand.