Page 139 of More Than Pen Pals

She looks up at me again and her hand stills. “Really?”

I nod.

“Surfing it is,” she says. “But can we do another activity first?”

The corners of my mouth turn up. “What did you have in mind, my lady?”

She shows me instead of telling me.

* * *

Later, when we’re getting dressed for the day, Leslie pulls an envelope out of her handbag. “I forgot Diego gave me this for us to read when we got here. He said it’s for both of us, but mostly for you.”

I take the envelope from her, pull her with me to the couch, and then haul her onto my lap. I open the flap and slide two papers out. I read the top one out loud first.

Dear Ash and Lady Leslie Hamilton,

Congratulations, and welcome to my resort. I hope you enjoy the activities, but I will understand if you choose to never leave your suite.

Leslie giggles. “What did I tell you?”

“You were right, as always.”

I press a quick kiss to her lips before I continue reading.

When I learned about how you two wrote letters to each other as children, I knew I needed to give you the letter Leslie wrote to me when she ordered me to hire Ash.

I turn Leslie’s face to mine. “You wrote him a letter?”

She nods.

“Why did you never tell me?”

She shrugs. “I guess I never thought to.” She gives me a peck on the cheek. “Keep reading.”

Lady Leslie’s letter is a perfect wedding gift—maybe even better than a week at my amazing resort.

Ash, I told Leslie I hired you because of what you said to me, but it was also partly because of what she said about you. Even though I already knew she loved you, I also knew she was professional enough to only tell me the truth.

You are two of the best people I know. I am so proud of both of you and the work you have done for me and the people we help at the foundation.

Congratulations again. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Your second-best man,

Diego

I set that page aside and begin reading the second letter, which is handwritten on Carter-Jenkins letterhead.

Dear Diego,

You asked me to give you a list of people who could run your foundation. I don’t have a list. I have only one name: Ash Hamilton.

This foundation is his brainchild, and he took great risk in planning and presenting it to you. I can’t give you all the details, but he put his job on the line for this. That’s how much he believes in it.

I’ve known Ash since we were ten years old, and even as a young teenager he dreamed of one day changing the world and making it a better place for all people. That’s still how he wants to use the talents, education, and experiences he’s been given.

Ash is the smartest, kindest, most respectful man I know, …

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