"I know you questioned it at first, but I'm telling you…this is right. I'm sure of it."

Bobby Belden took the clipboard from the counter in front of him and held it up for his older brother's inspection. He pointed to something he had written on the data sheet, quickly made a sweeping gesture at the array of potted vegetation behind him, and then threw up a hand to indicate a chart that had been posted on a makeshift message board affixed to the greenhouse wall.

"You can check it again if you like, but the numbers don't lie. The germination times on these seeds are not in keeping with our original findings, yet the variations in maturation still support our theory that…"

"Bobby, I'm not saying that I doubt you," Mart interrupted defensively. "I just meant that there wasn't enough data yet to be conclusive. We need more time to let the samples complete a cycle before we begin to verify anything."

When the younger man did not immediately wave the air dismissively and try to avoid the familiar confrontation, Mart decided that his brother was finally becoming comfortable with their professional relationship. It was a nice surprise.

"Sure. I agree. You just wait and see, though…I know we'll get the results I predicted." Bobby casually left his work station to check on the progress of some other seedlings across the room. "You'll owe me dinner when I get to say, 'I told you so.'"

"Oh, I will, will I? And what happens if I'm right and our first theory is disproved? What will I get?"

"Um…since you don't appreciate my beautiful wife's healthy cuisine…how about we don't owe you dinner?"

Genuine warmth flowed between them as the two men laughed together.

"Somehow, it seems like you'll get the upper hand in this, no matter what. Bob, if you don't make it as a scientist, I'm sure you'd make a really great negotiator or a corporate salesman. Why, you could sell a bald man a comb and make him think it was his idea."

"Oh, come now, Dr. Martin Belden, we all know who the con man is in this family. You're the one who scammed your fellow classmates out of their lunch money for one quick game of Pac Man on your wristwatch," Bobby snorted.

"Hey, what do you know about that? You were a just baby when that happened." Mart held up his hands questioningly, and as he did so, dark potting soil flew from the miniature spade he was holding.

"Such talents of yours are infamous," Bobby said with a laugh, dodging the dirt his brother had unwittingly pitched at him. "Just like your ability to make a mess wherever you go."

"Sorry about that. Hey, what are those little guys you've got growing over there?"

Mart immediately sensed his brother's discomfort at the question, and it made him even more curious about the little seedlings Bobby had been secretly nursing of late.

"Oh, nothing much, really. They're uh…sunflowers." The younger man shook back his blonde hair with a careless air and tried to change the subject by crossing over to look at what Mart was working on.

"You finished planting those new organic test samples yet or are you just making mud pies with my special potting mix?"

"I'm playing. Having fun, too." Mart couldn't resist the need to taunt his sibling. He also couldn't let go of his desire to know the details about the little flowers Bobby didn't want to discuss. "What's the plan for the sunflowers, Bob?"

Bobby turned away again and rubbed the stubble on his chin so that the top portion of his hand muffled his words as he spoke.

"Mer fr nn."

"What?"

"I said, they're for Dan." Bobby repeated it louder than he'd expected; the surprise on his face mirrored that of Mart's.

Then, an immediate understanding dawned in Mart's brain as he felt a surge of mixed emotions engulfing him all at once. Bobby was going to put the flowers on their friend's grave.

"I thought you didn't believe in all that mushy graveside stuff," he said softly, tears pricking the sides of his eyes.

"Yeah, well, I just thought he'd have liked them. I mean, they're more for Daniel and Hallie, really….you know…"

"And you call me a con artist…" Mart said with a gentle laugh. He was overjoyed to discover how quickly the old hurts and bitterness were melting away since Bobby had discovered Dan's final message to him.

I knew it would help.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, Mart. It's not like I'm gonna be out there all the time like you and Trixie. I mean…okay, so I've even been to church a couple of times lately…alright. Does that shock you? Are you happy, now?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact I am." Mart stated emphatically. But, he couldn't stop the tears from sliding down his cheeks. His brother was finally discovering the healing power of faith.

Bobby shook his head and laughed at Mart's sympathy.

"Softy," he teased his brother.

"Brat."

"Four eyes."

Mart took off his newly acquired reading glasses and wiped the moisture from his eyes.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I am." The two men burst into emotion-filled laughter at Mart's repeated phrase. And, for the first time in years, Mart was confident that his brother was going to find peace with his grief – and with God.

In companionable silence, they worked for the next few hours, creating a quiet sense of understanding between them.

It was a much needed reprieve from the fears of the past few days when their cousin Hallie Regan had been hospitalized for abnormal heart rhythms. Mart closed his eyes and silently prayed that his wife and his cousin's son would find peace about what had happened to Hallie.

He knew they blamed themselves…