Page 66 of Always on My Mind

That’s the government for you.

I’m going to stare at this all night.

Me too.

She locked her phone and slipped it back into her coat pocket.

“Thank you for showing me this,” she said, facing Caoimhe again. “D’you think you could point me in the direction of a couple books for some other research?”

“That’s what I’m here for. Which subjects?”

“The tobacco wives for the colony of Jamestown and English aristocrats in the American South during the Revolution.”

Niche as the subjects were, Caoimhe found a couple books on each and helped Tessa find them and got her checked out. Tessa couldn’t wait to start reading. If she could find any references to herself and Jamie in those volumes, she could use their cited sources for further research. It would be a lot to wade through, but she was up to the task.

“Thanks again, Caoimhe,” Tessa said on her way to the door, sticking the books in her tote bag.

“Slán,” Caoimhe replied with a wave.

“Slán.”

Tessa braced herself against the cold when she stepped outside, but nothing to dampen her spirits. She had confirmation now, concrete evidence that she and Jamie were soulmates. She hoped it would strengthen Jamie’s resolve in her next confrontation with her father. For now, Tessa had to get started on the next part of her research.

“Tessa Gallagher, is that you?”

She whipped around at the sound of a somewhat familiar voice, though the face was unmistakable. Jet black hair, gray eyes, and strong jaw, the same as he had back when they were teenagers. Her first boyfriend, Dominic Keegan. She beamed at the sight of him.

“What about you, Dom?” she cried, laughing as she strode to embrace him.

“Grand,” he told her, hugging her in return. “And you?”

“Grand, so,” she replied.

“London life suits you, then?”

“Oh, aye. I love the rush and all the excitement. You’re still here with your ma and da?”

“I’ve got my own place now, but I’m only down the road from them.”

“I’m sure they love that.”

“Oh, aye. They can still be up my hole about getting married and giving them grandchildren.”

Tessa chuckled, but inwardly thanked the heavens her parents were not the least bit concerned with any of that.

“Is that why you moved so far away?” he joked.

“Ach, no, but I can see why that might be a draw.”

He smiled softly at her. “Say, Tessa, would you join me at the pub for a pint later? I’d love to catch up some more. Perhaps get reacquainted. You, er, look good.”

“Oh.” Tessa let her gaze drop to the sidewalk. “Sorry, Dom, I’m away to the chippie to get dinner for my family, and then I’ve got to read these,” she paused to hold up the bag. “Before I fly back to London.”

He stepped back. “I see. Sorry I asked.”

“No, it’s fine, but I. . . I can’t.”

“Is there someone else? A boyfriend or girlfriend?”

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