HANNAH FOLLOWED EMMA out the front door and onto the porch. “Emma?”
Emma turned to face her. “Yes.”
“If we are where you say we are... when you say we are,” Hannah whispered, “then, isn’t it dangerous to travel?”
“Maryland is a border state and not much really happens here from this point on... at least where we are, anyway.”
“What do you mean, from this point on?” Hannah snapped.
Emma put her finger to her lips. “Shh. Maryland has a lot of Confederate sympathizers, but for whatever reason, not much happens in the way of battles. I haven’t even seen any soldiers on our way through. The only thing I remember is that Dr. Mudd’s home is here somewhere. We’ll ask Sophie when we get home.”
The sound of horse’s hooves interrupted any further discussion, and Hannah and Emma turned to see Clayton pulling the buggy up in front of the house. Christopher jogged toward them and met them at the bottom of the porch steps just as Clayton jumped from the buggy.
“I’ll assist you, Hannah,” Christopher said and held his hand out to her.
Hannah took his hand and leaned into him as he gently lifted her into the buggy. Clayton handed Emma in and then climbed into the driver’s seat.
“I’ll see you on Monday, Chris,” Clayton said and released the brake.
Christopher nodded, however, he never looked away from Hannah. Clayton urged the horses forward and Hannah leaned back against the seat. Emma took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Hannah sighed. “You know, I really thought Christopher was insane, or an actor... or a liar. I was sure I had found myself in some branch of the Amish, or some M. Knight Shyamalan plot.”
Emma smiled gently. “It’s all a bit of a mind bend, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I just want to know how.”
Emma shrugged. “You’re asking the wrong person.”
Hannah shifted to face her better. “How is it you’re so calm?”
“I’ve had a few months to wrap my mind around this, Han.” She nodded toward Clayton. “Plus, I’ve had Clay to lean on... and Sophie, of course.”
“We were all sure Sophie was dead.”
Emma nodded. “I know, but she’s perfectly healthy. She came here, Jamie came soon after. She’s also pregnant.”
“Wow.” Hannah sat back again. “So this is where they disappeared to.”
“Yes. Sophie from the bedroom... Jamie from the library of the house. We’re thinking there must be some kind of portal there.”
Hannah shook her head. “But I was in Chicago, not in the house.”
Emma sat up a little straighter. “Seriously?”
“Yes, at my dance studio. I got locked in the stairwell. I went upstairs and found this room that had old furniture and paintings in it.” Hannah bit her lip. “There was a painting on the wall of Christopher. Well, it looked like him anyway. I was looking at it and then I saw this strange vision, like the room was disappearing, and then everything went black.”
“What did Christopher say about it?”
“He said he never sat for a portrait, which makes sense since the date on the portrait said 1865.”
“It must happen in 1865, then.”
Hannah shivered. “So, in the future, I was staring at a portrait from the past and sent back to the past... only further in the past so that the portrait doesn’t exist?”
Emma shook her head. “A little spooky, don’t you think?”
“I need a drink.”
Emma giggled. “We have the best single malt at home. Clayton didn’t count on a wife who was so knowledgeable about whiskey. I think it shocked him a bit.”
“Wait till he gets a load of her best friend.”
Emma grinned. “Seriously. Where did you end up after you came through the portal?”
“In Mr. and Mrs. Butler’s barn.”
Emma let out a low whistle. “You leave from Chicago and wake up in Maryland.”
Hannah rubbed her temples. “What happened to you?”
“Sweetheart, we’re halfway there. Watch for anyone in gray,” Clayton called back to her over his shoulder, interrupting their conversation.
Emma smiled up at her husband. “Okay, baby.”
Clayton turned toward the front and Emma focused back on Hannah. “I ended up in Clayton’s carriage house.”
“Which is where? D.C.?”
Emma nodded her head. “Yes.”
“This is so bizarre.” Hannah slouched further onto the carriage bench.
“Well, we’ll get home and talk to Jamie and Sophie about it. They’re not going to return with us after Thanksgiving, but at least you’ll get to spend a little time with them.”
“I have no idea what any of that means, Em. What do you mean, Thanksgiving, and where will they be?”
“They live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They came to stay with us for a few weeks after our wedding so that I could get used to the new city. We’re going to spend Thanksgiving with them, but then we’ll be on our own.” Emma sighed. “I’m really glad you’re here, Hannah. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. Especially dancing.”
Hannah yawned and Emma patted her knee. “Han-Han, everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”
She smiled at Emma, but stayed quiet and stared out the side of the buggy.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, Clayton pulled the buggy up to the livery outside the train station in Camden. As he settled up with the livery owner, Hannah watched the bustle of passengers coming and going. Other than the clothing and the buggies, it really didn’t seem much different than a modern day train station.
Clayton procured tickets for the last train of the day, and then the three of them boarded for the short trip to D.C. As the whistle blew and the train began to chug forward, Hannah stared out the window, barely registering the passing scenery.
“Hannah?”
“Hm?” She glanced over at Emma.
“We’re here.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Oh. That was quick.”
Emma smiled gently. “Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”
They disembarked and waited for Clayton to hire a buggy then took off for the Maddens’. Arriving home, Clayton assisted the girls from the carriage and Emma grabbed Hannah’s hand, pulling her into the house. “Sophie! Jamie!”
“Em? Is everything all right?” Hannah saw Sophie’s head poke out of a doorway down the hall. “What are you doing home so soon?”
“Look!” Emma pulled Hannah forward.
“Hannah?”
Hannah gave a little wave and promptly burst into tears. “Hi.”
Sophie rushed to her and pulled her into her arms as Jamie came out of the parlor. “What’s going on?”
Emma shrugged. “We’re not sure. She was in Chicago when she got sent back. She ended up in the Butlers’ barn.”
“Christopher Butler?” Jamie asked.
“His parents’ barn,” Hannah said as she sniffled. “But he was there.”
Jamie wrapped an arm around Hannah’s shoulders and walked her down the hallway. “Come in the parlor and we’ll talk.”
Practically falling onto a large sofa, Hannah forced a smile. Emma and Sophie on either side of her, and Sophie squeezed her hand. “Tell us everything.”
Hannah relayed the story of meeting Christopher. She filled them in on everything that had happened since she entered her studio.
“You’re lucky, Hannah,” Jamie said. “He’s a really great guy.”
“Not to mention loaded,” Emma added.
Clayton frowned. “What does a gun have to do with this?”
Emma shook her head and chuckled. “Loaded means wealthy in our time.”
“Emma,” Clayton warned. “You should not be discussing Christopher’s financial status. It’s none of our business.”
“You’re right, baby. Sorry.” She turned to Hannah and mouthed, I’ll tell you later.
“Well, Hannah, it’s a good thing Chris found you. It could have been way worse,” Jamie said.
Hannah smirked. “I can’t imagine how! He destroyed my brand new Luckys, so he’s on my list right now.”
At Clayton’s look of confusion, Emma explained, “Lucky jeans are really expensive. You know those blue breeches we wear when we ride?” When Clayton nodded, Emma continued, “Well, Lucky’s fit Hannah perfectly, so that was usually what we gave her for birthdays and Christmas.”
“Am I going to have to wear dresses every day?” Hannah grimaced.
“Afraid so,” Jamie piped in.
“We do have a few pairs of breeches that we wear when we ride. You’re welcome to borrow them... once we hem them and take them in around the waist and hips.” Emma smoothed her hands over her skirts. “You just won’t be able to wear them in public.”
“You should learn to ride too,” Sophie said.
Hannah groaned. “Yeah, because that went so well the first time.”
“She just got here, Soph, let’s try not to overwhelm her.”
“Ta.” Hannah stood and paced the room. “Do you think I’ll stay here? I mean, what about my family? They’re going to freak out, being stuck in New Zealand and not being able to reach me. What about school?”
“Yes, I think you’ll stay. We don’t know what to do about our loved ones, but there’s not really much we can do about it,” Jamie said.
“But why are we here? How did we get here? What’s the purpose? Is there a time portal somewhere, and if so, where? And if it was in the library in Portland, how is it I got here from Chicago? Does the portal move, or are there multiple ones. Is it random or were we chosen?” The girls laughed and Hannah stalled. “I’m doing it, aren’t I?”
Emma formed her fingers into the inch symbol. “Little bit.”
“Hannah’s a forensics whiz. She’s worked for a private investigation firm for several years and we always thought she’d end up being a detective. If there is a mystery to solve, she’ll solve it,” Jamie explained to Clayton.
“She was accepted at a very prestigious university in Chicago in their law program,” Emma continued.
Hannah let out a quiet huff. “Lot of bloody good it does me now.”
“Han-Han,” Sophie said gently. “It’s all going to work out.”
Emma rose to her feet and held her hand out to Hannah. “How about I show you to your room and then we can go for a walk?”
Hannah shrugged. “Fine.”
“Clayton, will you join us for a walk?” Emma asked.
Clayton shook his head. “No, sweetheart, I can’t. I have a mound of paperwork I have put off for our excursions. I’ll send Walter with you.”
Emma nodded, and Hannah followed her out of the parlor and up the stairs. “Who is Walter and why does he need to come with us on a walk?”
“Walter works for Clayton... well, us, I suppose. He’s kind of our butler slash bodyguard slash whatever Clayton needs.”
“And we’re going to need a butler slash bodyguard slash whatever to go for a walk?” Hannah asked.
Emma sighed. “Yes we are. It’s a long story, but Clayton’s job is really high-profile, and even though we’re safer than most with the heavy protection in D.C., there’s still a war going on, and people who would love nothing more than to get to Clayton or Chris to get to the President. So, if I want to go anywhere, I have to take Walter or Clayton with me.”
Emma took Hannah into a guest room and Hannah set her bag down. “Well, that’s just freakin’ great.”
Emma laid her hands on Hannah’s shoulders and sighed. “Stay with me here, Han-Han. Everything’s going to work out perfectly fine, and I’d like to enjoy the fact I have you here, rather than dwell on the fact I have to have a bodyguard to pee.”
Hannah couldn’t stop the giggle as she asked, “You are kidding about that, right?”
Emma smiled and dropped her hands. “Yes. Although, if we had an outhouse, I may not have been.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “No outhouse? Does that mean—?”
“Yes... a bowl,” Emma interrupted.
Hannah groaned and flopped onto the mattress.
“Were you wearing a jacket or anything when you arrived?” Emma asked.
Hannah nodded. “Yes, but Christopher disposed of it along with the jeans that were ‘unacceptable.’” She used air quotes to drive home her disgust.
Emma sighed. “I’m sorry, Han. They’re funny that way.”
“Who are?”
“Nineteenth-century men... and women, for that matter. We’ll find you something comfortable to wear, I promise. In the meantime, I have an extra cloak you can borrow.”
“Okay.” Hannah leaned back on her elbows.
“I can tell you all about Christopher later.”
“Why don’t you just tell me now? You know you’re dying to.”
“I am... you’re right.” Emma grinned. “Christopher’s parents are referred to as the Butlers of Maryland. Their family has lived in Maryland for several generations, and Christopher’s dad makes a killing with his investments in the railroad, not to mention he’s a kick-ass farmer.”
Hannah sat up. “So his parents are rich... not Christopher.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Who do you think got Mr. Butler into the railroad business?”
“Christopher I presume?” At Emma’s nod, Hannah climbed from the bed and narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “How do you know all of this?”
“Gwen. She’s quite chatty when she’s away from her brother, and she and I have become really good friends.” Emma lifted Hannah’s bag from the floor and set it on a chair. “Just don’t tell Chris.”
“You’re not allowed to be friends?” Hannah asked incredulously.
“No, it’s not that. He’s just really, really proper, and I’m so not. Gwen’s worried he won’t let her visit as often if he thinks I have any kind of influence over her.”
Hannah gasped. “He said that?”
Emma sighed. “No. I think Gwen’s projecting, but he definitely intimidates her, and when she’s here in the city, she has to stick to his rules. He’s stricter than their father, and I get the impression Chris doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.”
“Emma, I cannot live in a place where I have to watch everything I say and do. You know me! I have foot-in-mouth disease.”
“Don’t panic on me, Han. You don’t have to watch everything... just some things. And I like your lippy nature.” She paused and winked. “It means I always look good.”
Hannah grabbed a pillow and chucked it at Emma’s head. Emma laughed as she caught it and threw it back. “Come on, let’s find Walter and go for a walk. I’ll leave instructions with the housekeeper to alter one of my dresses while we’re gone. Mrs. Price is a wonder with a needle.”
* * *
When Emma led Hannah home after their short excursion, she organized baths for them, and Hannah gladly took the momentary respite from her reality. She closed her eyes and focused on the sweet smell of lavender wafting from the water.
All too soon, Emma knocked on her door and helped her dress. Hannah followed Emma downstairs to the parlor to wait for dinner. Clayton, Jamie, and Sophie were already there, and Hannah was a little taken aback when the men stood as she and Emma walked into the room.
Emma walked over to Clayton and he kissed her cheek. “Did you enjoy your walk?”
Emma nodded. “Very much. I missed you today. Did you get all your paperwork done?”
Clayton smiled and pulled her onto the sofa next to him. “Yes.”
“Hannah, you look lovely,” Sophie said.
Hannah glanced at her feet. “Thanks. It’s still a bit long, but seems to fit otherwise.”
“You’re really tiny, that’s why,” Emma joked.
“Why does everyone seem to be saying that lately? I’m not really that small! You guys just happen to be amazons.”
Emma grinned. “Well, Mrs. Price did an exemplary job of hemming in such a short amount of time. She’s a wonder.”
“Yes, she did,” Sophie agreed. “We’ll get new dresses made for you when you visit next week. Christine will have some things you can borrow as well, I’m sure.”
“Who’s Christine?”
“A very close friend and close to your size. She and her brother, Andrew, are the only ones in the past that knows about us.”
Hannah nodded. The door to the parlor opened and Walter stood at the threshold. “Mr. Christopher Butler to see you, sir.”