AS CLAYTON PULLED his horse up in front of the arena, Michael came jogging outside waving a note in the air. “He’s gone!”
Clayton dismounted and joined Jamie, who’d tied his horse to one of the rails. Jamie took the note from Michael and began to read, then swore.
“Who’s gone?” Clayton asked.
“Topper’s disappeared.” Michael ran his hands through his hair. “He appears to have run off.”
Clayton frowned. “Your nephew?”
Michael nodded. “He was told to stay close.”
Jamie glanced up. “Where did you find the note?”
“On the desk in my office. He must have left it for me early this morning.” Michael frowned. “That boy has always been trouble. It’s no wonder his mother couldn’t control him.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions, Michael. Topper’s changed.” Jamie read the letter again. “The wording’s strange—stilted, not flowing. And there are symbols here.”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “Are you thinking it might be some kind of code?”
“Possibly.” Jamie crossed his arms. “I don’t know. If it is, it’s well over my pay grade.”
Michael took the page from Jamie’s hands. “Do you know what it says?”
Clayton held his hand out. “May I see?” Michael handed it to him and Clayton studied the writing. An alarm went off internally. He slipped the paper into an inner pocket and gave the men a curt nod. “I’ll take care of this.”
Jamie’s eyes widened. “What do you mean, you’ll take care of this? What does it say?”
Michael groaned. “We have to find my nephew, Clayton. My sister will not be happy to know he’s run off again.”
“I understand that, Dr. Wade.” Clayton motioned to one of the soldiers to join them. “We will.” Clayton turned to the young private who’d rushed to approach. “Please take a message to Andrew Simmonds. I need him to meet me here, immediately.”
The young man saluted. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
Clayton turned back to Michael. “I need Andrew to look over the note. If Topper left it, then the symbols may point to exactly where he is.”
“How can Andrew help?” Jamie asked.
“Andrew Simmonds was one of the best decipherers during his time in the field. If anyone can break it, he can.”
“Well, when you find him, lock him up for a few days – that should teach him a lesson,” Michael said.
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take that into consideration.”
“Dr. Wade!” Hyram Jones, a young boy living with his mother close to three miles away, rode as fast as he could toward them. “Dr. Wade!”
Clayton grasped the reins of the horse as Hyram drew up and dismounted. “Dr. Wade. Come quick. Jed’s had an accident.”
“All right, son.” Michael gestured toward the house. “I’ll fetch my bag and follow you home.”
Andrew pulled up soon after Michael left, and Clayton led him back to his home. Jamie followed. “Jamie, Andrew and I can take care of this.”
Jamie let out a snort. “Nice try. You’ll need to get used to my presence, ’cause I’m not going anywhere.”
“Clayton, Jamie’s someone we can trust.” Andrew gave a wry grin. “And he really won’t go anywhere. He has a knack of finding out information, sometimes before anyone else does, and he’s persistent.”
Jamie shrugged. “That’s one way to describe me.”
Clayton sighed. “All right. Follow me.”
* * *
After an hour of several different code cracking options in Clayton’s office, there was one portion of the note they could not decipher. Clayton slapped the pages down on the desk. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. I thought I’d seen every code ever used.” He dragged his hands down his face. “I’ll wire Christopher and see if he can assist.”
Jamie paced the room. “Is that a good idea? What if someone reads the wire? You never know who’ll intercept something and pass it on. It could be dangerous, and I’m not convinced Topper just disappeared for some teenage fun.”
Andrew shrugged. “His note indicates nothing different, Jamie. He even says that he’ll return soon.”
“I’m still not convinced he’s disappeared for kicks.”
A knock at the office door interrupted their conversation.
“Come in,” Clayton called.
The housekeeper pushed open the door. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Madden. I have a letter for Mr. Ford.”
Jamie reached out and took the envelope. He opened it and then rolled his eyes. “I need to get back to the arena.”
Andrew rose to his feet. “Everything all right?”
Jamie sighed. “Yes. You two keep working on this, and we’ll talk tonight. Will you join us for dinner?”
Clayton and Andrew nodded, and then Jamie was out the door.
Jamie made a run for the arena and scowled when he caught sight of yellow skirts awfully familiar to him slip inside the barn. “Sophie Jane!”
She poked her head outside the door and grinned. “Yes, love?”
“You’re supposed to be in bed.”
“Hm, mm. So I heard. But no one could find you or Michael, so they came to me. Samson’s going a little nutty.” She gave a little wave and disappeared back into the building.
He followed her inside. “You need to get back to the house.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “I would if I could find Topper. Where is that little cretin?” She whistled for Samson who stood just inside his stall, snorting at the young soldier attempting to put a halter on him. “Samson, settle.” She held her hand out and Samson trotted over to her. She gave him a sugar cube and patted his head. “Where’s our buddy? Huh? Where is that Topper Wade, horse whisperer?”
“Sophie.”
“What?” She slipped the halter over his head and then glanced up at Jamie.
“Topper’s not here.”
“What do you mean?” she asked distractedly as she led Samson outside.
Jamie took the lead out of her hand. “Ten-Cow, stop.” Handing the rope over to one of the soldiers, he pulled her aside.
“Jamie, what’s wrong?”
“Topper’s missing.”
Sophie gasped. “What do you mean, he’s missing?”
“Come on back to the house, and I’ll fill you in.”
* * *
Emma groaned when the sun streaming in through her window and directly across her face waked her. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the spike of light pierced her skull, so she pulled the comforter over her head.
“Sorry,” Sophie whispered. “I didn’t realize the sun was that low.” She closed the drapes, blanketing the room in darkness again.
“What are you doing in here?”
Sophie sat on the bed. “You need to eat. You can go right back to sleep, but you need to get something in your stomach and take one of your pills.”
“I thought you were confined to bed.”
“Oh, I am. But it’s been a crazy day.” Sophie patted the mattress. “Sit up and I’ll tell you all about it while you eat.”
* * *
On Sunday, Emma woke considerably more herself. Having been confined to bed for the entire day, she was relieved to find that not only could she see straight, she was also able to put more weight on her ankle. She climbed off the mattress, found the robe her sister gave her, and pulled it on. Grabbing her crutches, she walked across the hall and knocked on Sophie’s door.
Sophie opened the door with her finger on her lips. “Jamie’s still asleep,” she whispered. “Let’s go to your room.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Are you allowed out of bed?”
Sophie nodded as they closed themselves in Emma’s room. “Yes, I have the official okay from Michael. Thank God! I couldn’t handle it anymore. I think after church I’m going to spend the day with Samson. How’s your ankle?”
“It feels better. I don’t think I could dance on it, but the swelling is down.” Emma leaned against her bed. “The crutches help, too.”
Sophie nodded. “That was really nice of Clayton.
Emma felt her neck grow warm as a blush started to form. “I know.”
“What about the migraine?”
Emma smiled. “Completely gone.”
“Great. Let’s get ready for church. Breakfast will probably be on the table shortly.”
Once they were dressed, they made their way downstairs and took their seats at the table.
“What are the plans for this afternoon, Nona?” Sophie asked.
“We’ll have lunch as usual after services, but nothing else is planned. We have invited Clayton and a few others to join us for dinner.”
Sophie leaned across the table for the salt and glanced at Jamie. “Samson needs some exercise. Can you ride him today?”
Jamie nodded. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
Emma salted her eggs. “Any word on Topper?”
Jamie shook his head. “None.”
Michael waved his hand dismissively. “He’ll come back when he’s good and ready, and then I’ll ship him back to his mother’s.”
Nona patted his arm. “Let’s not be hasty, dear.”
Breakfast seemed to be over before Emma finished her meal. She took one last sip of coffee as Jamie stood and started to gather everyone’s outerwear. “All right, you two. Let’s get ready.”
It was getting colder, so the decision was made to use the large carriage. It seated up to six and was enclosed for warmth. Daniel had one of the grooms hitch up the horses and put blankets inside if they needed them.
“Where are your crutches, Em?” Jamie asked.
“I left them behind. My ankle feels really good.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
At Emma’s nod, Jamie helped the ladies in, then sat between Sophie and Emma. “I have to admit, I’m looking forward to a day out with my girls. It’s been a long time.”
Sophie patted his knee. “True. It’s going to be glorious.”
The carriage pulled to a lull behind several others at the church, waiting for passengers to climb down and join the small crowd milling in the front. Emma took the time to take in the gray brick structure of Paxton Presbyterian Church.
Sophie peered out the carriage window and sighed. “Isn’t it adorable?”
Emma grinned. “Yes, very cute. Will you be telling me the history now or later?”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Later, smarty pants.”
Emma shrugged. “Just checking.”
“Looks like they’re letting us out here.” Jamie pushed open the door on Sophie’s side and climbed down. Holding his hand out, he lifted Sophie down first, then Emma. Michael assisted Nona, and then the couple went to speak with friends.
Sophie linked her arm with Emma’s and they made their way up the walkway to join the other parishioners. Emma turned as someone touched her elbow.
“Good morning.” Clayton removed his top hat and bowed over her hand.
Emma beamed up at him, her heart racing.
“Good morning, Mr. Madden,” Sophie said.
“Good morning, Clayton. I’m going to steal my wife for a few minutes.” Jamie winked at Emma and she nearly kissed him.
She turned back to Clayton. “Do you attend church on a regular basis, or is this a special occasion?”
* * *
Clayton tried to steady his heart as she continued to smile at him. “I have attended church my whole life. However, I formed a very personal experience only in the last few years. The war has solidified many of those beliefs.” He stopped himself, surprised that he’d shared that much with her.
Emma’s light blue day dress fit her perfectly. Her bonnet, a darker shade of blue, shielded her face slightly, but when she looked up at him, she took his breath away. Her cheeks were flushed red from the cold, and she radiated beauty, leaving him slightly tongue-tied. He cleared his throat. “You’re walking easier. How are you feeling?”
“I feel very well, Clayton. Thank you. I heard you had some excitement yesterday.”
Just then, the bell rang to let the parishioners know that services would begin shortly. Clayton held his arm out to her. “May I accompany you?”
“I would like that very much.” Emma slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow.
They entered the church and made their way to the Wades’ pew. Emma sat next to Sophie, and Clayton followed her into the row. Everyone stood for the first hymn and he wondered what her voice might sound like. He’d have to keep wondering. She didn’t make a sound.
Once the congregation was seated, the minister started to speak, but Clayton couldn’t concentrate. Emma’s thigh was pressed against his, and it distracted him to no end. When he glanced down at her, he grinned at her blush. She quickly turned back to face the pulpit.
The minister indicated where he would read from the Bible, and Clayton noticed Emma didn’t have her own. He opened his, and held it out to her. When Emma reached to share, he brushed his fingers over hers. She looked up at him somewhat surprised and he smiled at her. Their hands were hidden beneath the book, and when she linked her pinky with his, Clayton relished the brief and secret touch.
Before he knew it, the service came to an end. He’d never remembered church being so captivating, and was disappointed that the morning was over. Unwilling to separate completely, he laid his hand gently on her back as they filed out of the pew, wishing for somewhere private. The congregation exited the church, and Michael stopped to introduce Emma to the minister. Clayton continued down the steps, but stayed close enough to hear her conversation.
“Welcome to our church, Miss Wellington,” the minister said.
Emma shook his hand. “I enjoyed the service very much, sir. Thank you.”
Once introductions were made, she filed out with the rest of the small crowd. Clayton waited for her at the bottom of the steps and held his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and he escorted her to the family carriage.
“Are you going to join us for dinner this evening, Clayton? It will be a smaller group than usual,” Nona asked.
“Yes. Thank you, Nona. I believe I will. I must check on Richard first, but I will come by after.” Clayton assisted Emma into the carriage, mounted his horse, and took off towards the jail. He wasn’t looking forward to the confrontation with his brother today.
* * *
Arriving home, Sophie and Emma went upstairs to change. Emma put on the same threadbare dress she’d worn on the train, and Sophie handed her a pair of breeches to put on under it. Emma held them up. “What are these for?”
“Just in case you want to ride.” Sophie pulled on a light-yellow skirt and white blouse and then pulled her hair back and secured it at her neck.
Jamie knocked on the door and Sophie opened it. “Ready?” he asked.
“Yes!” they said in unison.
Emma followed the couple out to the stables. Sophie called for Samson and he whinnied to her as she approached his stall. As the sun rose higher, Emma realized that her surroundings seemed so normal to her. She wasn’t missing the sound of her phone or feeling the need to keep in constant contact with anyone. She was spending an afternoon with her sister, playing with their horses… something they’d done together for years before, only, not necessarily in full period costume.
Emma dropped a brush in the tin bucket and peeked into Gentle Ben’s stall. “Sophie, I’m going to watch Jamie ride. Are you coming?”
Sophie slid the brush down the horse’s neck. “I can’t. Samson goes nuts if I’m around and not riding him. He’ll try to throw Jamie if I’m out there.”
“Do you mind if I go?”
Sophie shook her head. “Not at all. Call me when Samson’s ready to be brushed down.”
Emma made her way outside and watched Jamie put Samson through his paces in the large paddock. Hearing the sound of hooves behind her, she turned, and her heart raced to see Clayton on a large gray Andalusian. “Good afternoon, Clayton.”
“Good afternoon.”
His grin made her legs weak and she reached out for a wooden slat on the railing. Jamie walked Samson to the fence and gave Clayton a quick nod. “Any news?”
Clayton leaned over the saddle and shook his head. “No.”
“Topper?” Emma stared up at him and frowned. “Was he kidnapped?”
Clayton glanced at Jamie, who answered for him. “It doesn’t look like it. He left a note that indicated he was hiding. We’re just unsure where.”
“Well, why aren’t you scouring the countryside looking for him?”
Jamie gave a half-smile. “We’re doing everything we can, Em.”
“Kinda wish we had GPS, huh?” she said without thought.
“What is GPS?” Clayton asked.
“Ah…”
Jamie coughed and Emma’s heart beat frantically.
“Ah… nothing.” Emma waved her hands in dismissal. “I just made that up. Sounds silly now that I’ve said it out loud.”
Jamie jumped from Samson’s back and led him out of the paddock. “Emma does that sometimes. We love her anyway.”
Emma bit her lower lip and sent a grimace of apology his way. “Yes. Thank you, Jamie.”
Clayton didn’t ask for any further clarification, which Emma was grateful for. He smiled and dismounted, tying his horse to the fence. “Do you ride, Emma?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Would you like to ride out to the lake with me? We still have several hours of light, and we’d make it back in time for dinner.”
Jamie closed the gate and removed Samson’s bridle. “You could ride Gentle Ben, Emma. I’d be happy to tack him up for you.”
Emma let out a quiet squeal when Samson let out a trumpeted whinny and took off toward the barn. “Jamie! What are you doing?”
Jamie nodded toward the barn. “Look.” Sophie stood just outside the large doors and Samson ate something from her palm. “He’s her trained pet.”
Emma wrinkled her nose. “You guys are crazy.” She focused back on Clayton. “Yes, I’d love to go for a ride with you.”
Jamie made his way back to the barn and saddled the horse Sophie had been brushing down. Clayton had already mounted, which gave Sophie the chance to show Emma how to hide her breeches under her skirts. No one would be the wiser that she wasn’t riding sidesaddle.
Emma followed Clayton away from the property and out to a dirt road that traveled east toward several groves of trees. They’d ridden about two miles when they came across a group of tents, and Emma was suddenly forced back to reality. They were in the middle of a war. A war that Sophie had somewhat romanticized when discussing it, but as Emma raked her eyes over the scene before her, she realized there was nothing romantic about it.
“Who are all those men?” she asked.
Clayton slowed to flank her as they walked their horses past the site. A few of the men waved, and Clayton nodded back. “These are part of your brother-in-law’s unit.”
Emma drew her eyebrows together. “But shouldn’t they be off somewhere fighting? I understood the war was brutal and miserable. These men don’t look like they’re starving or lacking the basic necessities to live.”
Clayton pulled his horse to a stop and stared at her.
Oh, Emma… you are an idiot!
“Um…” Emma frantically craned her head, looking for rescue of some kind.
“Emma.”
Emma turned Gentle Ben and dug her heels in gently, guiding him away from Clayton. “This was probably a bad idea. I’ll see you back at the barn.”
She didn’t factor in Clayton’s reach. He gently took her horse’s rein in his hand, effectively eliminating any escape, and smiled. “Where are you going?”