The Last Letter

Beckett Gentry, call sign “Chaos,” is the other narrator and protagonist of the book. He is a member of the same special operations unit as Ella’s brother, Ryan. Beckett was raised largely in foster care, having last seen his mother in court when he was five years old when she terminated her parental rights. Besides Havoc, the dog he handles, Beckett has hardly any real connections or people he cares about in his life. He considers the men he serves with his family, and he was closest to Ryan. Beckett’s loyalty to Ryan is the reason he turns up in Telluride after Ryan’s death: He arrives to honor his friend’s last request.

While Beckett’s actions mark him as a man of integrity, he initially does not see himself this way. His childhood experiences led him to believe that he was to blame for the lack of love and connection in his life growing up. Accordingly, Beckett embraces his call sign, “Chaos,” and claims that he is incapable of handling relationships without bringing destruction. This belief is the reason Beckett initially avoids reading Ella’s letters; when he does eventually begin corresponding with her, he confesses to this, blaming the lack of close friendships and relationships in his life on inherent character failings.

Despite Beckett’s negative self-image, his true character comes through in his actions, which reflect his loyalty and dependability. Although Beckett does not know any other life besides the military, he leaves that world behind to head to Telluride at Ryan’s request. While he is there, he ensures that he does whatever he can to see that Ella and her children are taken care of. Even in moments when he is angry at or upset with Ella, such as when she refuses to tell the children about the adoption, he turns up for the children as promised.

Besides Beckett’s honorable nature, he is also motivated by a deep and enduring love for Ella. The understanding and acceptance Ella offers him both as Chaos and then again as Beckett allows him to open his heart to a deeper connection. Where once Beckett couldn’t imagine settling down in one place, he willingly ties himself to Ella and the twins in every way imaginable: Even when Ella refuses his offer of marriage, he adopts Colt and Maisie, quits the military, and builds a house for the family in Telluride. Where Ella’s character arc is focused on her learning to trust, Beckett’s arc explores The Healing Power of Love and Relationships. Thus, by the end of the book, Beckett allows himself to love, be loved, and act on this love by putting down roots and building a family.

Colton “Colt” MacKenzie-Gentry is one of Ella’s twins. At the start of the book, he is five years old. Ella describes him as a child with a warm and generous heart, much like his uncle, Ryan.

Colt is outgoing, outspoken, and fiercely protective of his sister, with whom he shares a deep connection. He also has a strong sense of justice that extends beyond just his immediate family. He defends both Maisie and Emma at different times when a classmate tries to forcibly kiss both girls. He also takes Beckett’s advice about dealing with failure to heart, displaying fairness and sportsmanship when he congratulates his opponents after losing his first soccer match.

Colt takes to Beckett from almost the first moment they meet. Their instant connection stems in part from the fact that Beckett and Ryan were friends and in part because Colt wants to play with Havoc. However, over time, the relationship between Colt and Beckett solidifies because Beckett fills Colt’s need for a father figure. Colt has never met his biological father, Jeff, who walked out on Ella and the unborn twins when he learned of her pregnancy. Beckett comes to fill this role for him, and it gives Colt great joy to learn that Beckett is legally his parent at the end of his short life. Colt dies at the end of the book in a hiking accident. His death is unexpected and devastates the rest of the family, and their responses to his death illustrate the theme of Resilience in the Face of Tragedy.