Page 2 of The Soul Never Forgets

Tanner reaches for Teagan’s hand and smiles. “A lot has happened since the last time we were here together.”

“No kidding, right?”

Let’s make a list of the things that have happened since the last time I sat in this bar: I discovered that I have a soul mate, and we are not together because we’re star-crossed. I fell into a coma without any explanation as to how or why. I traveled back in time and experienced an entire lifetime as someone else over the span of three months. Somehow managed to change history. And spent the last nine months attempting to record as much of that lifetime as possible.

And that’s the short list.

“It was one year ago this weekend that we met in this place. I thought it would be cool to have a reunion here,” Landon says.

Riley leans over and kisses Landon. “I’ve never known a man who was so thoughtful. Isn’t my guy just the best?”

I’ve come to know Landon well since we met, and I can say without any doubt that he is special. Riley is lucky to have him in her life. I think he may be her person.

“We’re glad you could make time in your busy schedule for us, working girl,” Teagan says.

I’ve thrown myself into my restoration business and journaling. It hasn’t allowed for much personal time. “I’m thrilled to get out for a change. Catch-up at work has been hell.”

I lost the restoration job at the former Lebeau house on St. Charles. The Kincades hired someone else after I fell into the coma. But I’m glad. I don’t think I could have stepped foot in that house again after coming to know Benjamin and Marguerite Lebeau.

My workload with the restoration business has been crazy, but my assistant, Dee Dee, has been a priceless jewel. She kept my business afloat during my absence hence the reason I asked her to join me as a partner. Bringing her aboard has been one of my best decisions to date.

Landon chuckles. “You took an unplanned three-month vacation from work. Of course catch-up is going to be hell.”

“Haha. Hilarious.” I playfully nudge Landon’s leg with my foot beneath the table. “You need better jokes.”

He shrugs and takes a drink of whiskey. “Hey, what can I say? It’s hard to make jokes about someone being in a coma. I think I did pretty good considering.”

People worried about me, Landon included. “Okay, it was a good one. I’ll give you that.”

Everyone at the table has a drink except me. I look around the bar to see if there’s anyone taking orders. “Do we have a server tonight or what?”

Teagan holds up a full cocktail. “She brought a round of drinks right before you got here, so I’m guessing she won’t be back for a while. Service is slow tonight. You can give it a few minutes and see what happens, but you’ll be better off grabbing a drink at a bar.”

“Dammit.” Landon snaps his fingers. “I’m sorry, Caroline. I should have asked her to bring an extra Blue Label for you.”

Landon is always sweet and thoughtful like that. “No worries. I can grab a drink at the bar. Won’t take but a minute.”

I mix into the crowd of people in line for drinks, and the glow of the video poker game on the counter steals my attention. My understanding of the game and its rules are minimal, but the machine calls out to me. I want to play.

Is this Frank’s way of reaching out to me? It’s been a year. Is he finding a way to come back to me?

I poke some money into the machine, and I’m at a loss. There are so many buttons and options. I wait to hear Frank’s voice tell me what I should do. I. Get. Nothing. Not so much as a whisper.

The machine’s lights flash in the dark, pressuring me to do something. I press theBet $1button because it seems like the logical thing to do, and five cards appear: three nines, a queen, and a king.

Come on, Caroline. What would Frank do with this hand?

“You should hold the nines.”

For a moment I think it’s Frank’s voice, but it’s off. It’s too deep and lacks that charming southern drawl. And it’s also not in my head.

I glance over my shoulder and see Landon standing behind me. “Hold the nines,” he repeats.

“Is it so obvious that I need help?”

He leans closer. “Your intense stare at the screen is sort of a dead giveaway.”

“Learning to play poker has been on my bucket list for a while. I guess a video game in a bar probably isn’t the best way to learn.”

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