Page 21 of PenPal Hero

Holt was waiting on the other side.

She raced back to her bed to snatch up the letter and envelope she’d tossed there earlier. Smoothing a hand down the ruffled blue skirt of her last clean sundress, she returned to the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened it.

Holt’s frame towered dizzily in front of her. She took a moment to drink him in. He looked downright delicious in a navy and white plaid shirt, stone-washed jeans, and black snakeskin boots. She drew another deep breath, forcing herself to relax.

He frowned as he scanned her features. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head as she joined him in the hallway. “You’re not going to believe it. I’m not sure I even believe it.”

“Believe what?” He slung an arm around her shoulders as he led her to the elevator.

She waited until they stepped inside and the doors rolled shut behind them before answering. “It’s possible I was adopted.”

“Oka-a-ay.” His expression was impossible to read. “Where is this coming from?”

She handed him the letter. “Someone stuck this under my door. It was waiting for me when we returned from our hike.”

As he read it, his forehead creased. “Did you call them?”

“Not yet.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I didn’t know what to do.”

They reached the first floor and stepped out of the elevator.

“Good. We need to verify their identities first.” He lifted his cell phone to hold it over the letter. “Mind if I take a picture of this letter and show it to my team at K&G Security?”

“I don’t mind.” She watched as he snapped pictures from a few different angles. “What’s this about a team?” It was a detail about his new position that made her wonder more than ever what he did for the company.

He gave her a sweeping look from head to toe as he handed back the letter. “Listen, Bonnie, I don’t like keeping secrets from you.”

“I don’t like it, either.” She folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. Then she tucked it into her crossbody purse as they walked up to the hostess station.

Moments later, they were led to a table for two on the perimeter of the room. A few of the attendees from the retreat waved at her as she passed by their tables.

She forced a smile and waved back.

Holt held out her chair for her. She took a seat and leaned across the table in his direction as he claimed the second chair. “Never knowing where you are or what you’re doing is a tough way to start a relationship.” Her life was quickly dissolving into unanswered questions. She didn’t want where she stood with him to be one of them.

“I agree.” He reached for her hands. “Which is why I had a long talk with my new bosses on the way here.” He rubbed his thumbs in circles across the tops of her hands. “They gave me the green light to tell you I’m part of a new covert operations unit they’re trying to get off the ground.”

“Wait a sec.” Bonnie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I thought K&G Security was into, well, security. Like bodyguard stuff.”

“They are.” He continued toying with her fingers. “That’s all they did when they started out, but now they’re branching into other things — private investigating, surveillance, and contract work with various law enforcement agencies.”

She didn’t like the sound of that. “You mean dangerous stuff?”

He shrugged. “Right now, I’m simply the eyes and ears of the unit. Still a full-time mechanic. Still moving around town like I normally do. I just add in a few extra stops when I’m asked to.”

“To watch and listen?” She was surprised he was telling her any of this at all.

“Mostly.” He studied her seriously. “I’m in training to take on a bigger role when I’m ready. I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d keep that between us.”

“Of course!” She couldn’t believe he felt the need to say that. “I feel like you’re the only person I can trust right now. There’s literally no one left in my life to run and tell.” She shrugged. “Unless you include Alice. Does she know what you just told me?”

“Nope, and I’d like to keep it that way for now.” He didn’t say why.

A cute waitress in jeans and a blonde ponytail arrived to take their drink orders. She introduced herself as Shayley and jotted their requested drinks in her notepad. A welcoming smile rode her lips.

“Two ice waters with lemon,” Holt said.

---