CHRISTOPHER TOOK A deep breath and knocked on the Fords’ front door. Mrs. Peterson answered with a polite smile and ushered him inside.

“Captain Ford’s not in at the moment, Mr. Butler. I’d be happy to leave him a message.”

“I, ah, actually wanted to speak with Mr. Battaglia.”

“Oh, forgive me. He’s in the parlor.” She held her hands out for Christopher’s coat and hat, which he handed to her. “Follow me.”

Christopher followed the peculiar woman to the parlor and stalled for a moment before stepping inside. Mark sat at the piano, playing softly, while Rayne and Sam danced to the tune.

“Chris?” Sam paused in his dancing, but kept his arm firmly around Rayne. “Are you all right?”

He nodded. “Yes. I wanted to discuss something with Mr. Battaglia.”

Mark stepped from behind the piano and leaned against it. “What can I do for you?”

“We’ll let you talk,” Rayne said and pulled Sam from the room.

Christopher rubbed his forehead. “I would like you to teach me, ah, to dance.”

“What?” Mark said.

Christopher squared his shoulders. “I would like you to teach me to dance the way you do. To partner with Hannah.”

“Wow. Okay. I’d be happy to teach you. I’m not sure how effective it will be if she’s not in dance attire, though. I can try, but—”

Christopher held up a hand. “I will adjust.”

“Really?”

Christopher nodded.

Mark checked the clock on the mantle. “I have time now, if you’d like to start. We can do it here or at the Maddens’. Up to you.”

“Here would probably be better,” Christopher said. “I will collect Hannah.”

“Sounds good.”

Christopher let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and headed back to the Maddens’. Letting himself inside, he took the stairs two at a time and walked into the bedroom.

Hannah was hooking up her corset and glanced at him as she finished the last stay. “Hi. I thought you were meeting with Jamie today.”

“Change of plans.”

“Oh?”

“Is Penny with the nanny?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just fed her and put her down for her morning nap. Since you’re here, will you tighten me, please?”

“No.” He made his way to the bureau. “You’re going to change.”

“I am? Why?”

He found what he was searching for in the third drawer and pulled it out.

“Chris? What are you doing with my leotard?”

“You’re going to dance.”

“What?”

“Mark has agreed to teach me how to dance like him, so you can dance.”

“What?” she repeated.

Christopher grinned. She looked so beautiful standing in the middle of the bedroom, her long hair falling around her shoulders and a dumbfounded expression on her face. “I asked Mark to teach me how to dance like him. I want you to do what you love, sweetheart, and this way we can do it together.”

“Shut up.”

She burst into tears. Christopher frowned and closed the distance between them to pull her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

She smacked his chest. “No, I do. It’s not that.”

He lifted her chin, tears leaking down her cheeks. “Well, what’s amiss, then?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“You are the most amazing man on the planet. I don’t deserve you.”

Christopher chuckled and pulled her closer. “Oh, I see.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his neck. “I can’t believe you’re doing this for me.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t have to.”

“But I want to. You just gave birth to the most beautiful child in the world, the least I can do is this.” He kissed her temple. “Come on, beautiful girl. Let’s get you next door. Mark’s waiting.”

Hannah unhooked her corset and pulled on her dance outfit, then a plain day dress over the top. Christopher forced himself not to give into his desire to call the whole thing off and checked on his sleeping daughter before taking Hannah next door.

They arrived at the ballroom to find Mark and Rayne waiting for them. Rayne was dressed in dance clothes, but she had breeches covering her bottom.

“I thought you could use someone else to help,” Rayne explained.

Hannah hugged her. “What about Sam?”

“I’m here,” he called as he let himself in a side door. He glanced at Christopher. “But I can leave, if you’d like privacy.”

“You allowed this?” Christopher asked in shock.

Sam smiled. “I don’t know if ‘allow’ is the right word.”

Rayne giggled. “I’m currently wearing twice as much clothing as I had on before coming downstairs.”

“Ah,” Christopher said.

Hannah bit her lip. “It’s fine by me if he stays, but if you feel weird, I understand. I could also wear breeches as well. I know Sophie has an extra pair.”

“Can you do what you need to do in breeches?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Not easily, no. But it wouldn’t be impossible.”

“Why don’t I stay while Mark and Rayne show you what they want to teach you,” Sam said. “And I’ll leave when it’s time for you to learn.”

“Thanks, Sam,” Hannah said. “That would be great.”

Sam sat in one of the chairs facing the middle of the floor and settled an ankle over his knee.

“We’re going to do that routine you did for the audition,” Mark said. “I’ll dance Emma’s part, but we’ll add some lifts, okay?”

“So, like the one you did for the Love Gone video?”

“Yes, exactly,” Mark said.

Hannah clapped and nodded, sitting in the chair Christopher had carried over for her. Mark started to hum Hannah’s favorite song, which had the same time signature of the song she and Emma had danced to so long ago. The memories of their sophomore year of high school came flooding back accompanied by the sweet times of dance they’d shared.

The routine was a lyrical number, choreographed by Mark and Emma, and one he’d taken with him on the road with Rayne. He’d modified it to be more suited to a male dancer who could lift, throw, and catch his partner, which made the dance much more complicated and far more impressive.

Rayne sang the lyrics quietly as the dance progressed, but when it was time for both of them to focus, silence reigned for a few seconds. Then, the sweet sound of Sophie’s voice singing Rayne’s song sounded from the back of the room and Christopher turned to find Sophie and Emma grinning from ear to ear.

Attention turned back to Mark and Rayne as Rayne made a running leap into Mark’s arms and then flew backward to wrap herself around his waist.

Christopher couldn’t stop a rough gasp at the move and wondered exactly how he’d manage to do that without dropping his wife.

Hannah squeezed his knee and smiled up at him. “It’s easier than it looks. I promise.”

When the dance ended, the small crowd filled the room with applause. Mark grinned and bowed, as Rayne curtsied. “Are you ready for this?” Mark asked Christopher.

“Not in the least,” he admitted.

Hannah made her way to Sophie and Emma while Mark showed Christopher some basic stretches.

* * *

“What are you doing here?” Hannah asked, hugging Emma and then Sophie. Sophie made her way to Rayne, leaving the girls to talk.

“Clayton and I were going to work on a few dances,” Emma said.

“Where is he?”

“He’s in Jamie’s office. When he found out you were here to dance, he didn’t want to impose... or see you ‘naked.’”

Hannah giggled. “I’m not the one you have to worry about.”

“Pretty sure he’s aware of that. Which is probably more of why he’s with Jamie.”

“Did you know about Chris’s plan?”

“What plan?”

Hannah grinned. “Christopher asked Mark to teach him to dance so he could dance with me.”

Emma smiled. “That’s so sweet.”

“I know.” Hannah sighed. “He’s doing everything he can for me.”

Emma nodded. “Clayton said he wants me to do what I love, and since he ‘just can’t fathom the thought of letting me do it with Mark, or anyone else for that matter,’ he figured he should learn. I’m not sure how I’m going to teach him to lift me, but we’ll figure it out.”

“I can help with that.”

“That’d be great. For now, though, can I watch you? It’s not like I can do anything like that right at the moment, and I miss watching you dance.”

“If Chris is okay with it, I am too.”

Hannah led Emma back to the small group. Once Sam left the room and the rest of the ladies were invited to stay, Mark and Rayne started the lesson.

Hannah thought her heart would burst with love as her husband learned several very difficult steps just to make her happy. He was awkward at first, like a football player learning to dance, but he was strong, and determined not to drop her, which meant even if the dance appeared stilted at first, it didn’t matter to Hannah. She trusted her partner to protect her, catch her, and shelter her from injury. The hardest part for any new team on the dance floor.

* * *

The next day, Gabby snuck out of the Maddens’ home and rushed over to the Fords’. Evaline said Mark hid himself away in their ballroom at three every day, but hadn’t been able to find out why.

She let herself in through the front door, thankful Sophie always left it unlocked. She smiled at one of the maids as she passed by the parlor and prayed the woman wouldn’t follow her, grateful she hadn’t come across Mrs. Peterson. Arriving at the ballroom, she heard the muted sound of a piano coming from inside and tried the door. It was locked.

“Oh, bother,” she whispered.

She glanced above her and tried to reach the door frame, but it was too tall for her. She’d hoped to find a spare key hidden on it, but unless she wanted to be discovered dragging a chair over to reach it, she’d have to find another way in.

She walked through a side door and down a long hallway, towards the kitchen and the servants’ quarters. According to Hannah, the Fords didn’t typically employ a large amount of service people, but had added a few to accommodate the amount of guests staying for the month. Gabby dodged the bustle of the staff, surprised that no one seemed to mind that she was there.

She skulked down another hallway, hoping it would lead her to the anteroom at the rear of the ballroom. She guided herself by memory, knowing that there were often refreshments set out in the two rooms in order for the guests not to be disturbed, so it would be a good place to spy.

She found a rather nondescript door and turned the knob. It opened. Gabby laid her fingers over her mouth to stifle her glee. She slipped inside and pulled the door closed before hugging the wall in an effort not to be seen.

She heard the piano perfectly now, along with the sound of someone singing. Rayne perhaps? Although the song was nothing Gabby had ever heard before, she liked it. Peeking her head around the archway of the anteroom, she stalled, transfixed at the sight before her. Mark stood in the middle of the dance floor practically without a shirt. She licked her lips and tried to calm her heart. He wore a strange looking garment without sleeves and low at the neck. It made his chest look like something that had been chiseled out of granite.

He stood with his legs slightly apart and was staring at something, or someone Gabby couldn’t see. All of a sudden, a petite blur flew into his arms and Mark lifted her above his head and then rolled her down his body, placing her gently on one foot. She wore shiny slippers and appeared to be floating above the floor.

Hannah?

Hannah was dressed in almost nothing and Gabby bit her lip as she watched them move in perfect unison. What was this? Some kind of hedonistic entertainment? As Hannah moved around Mark, he gave direction as though teaching her something... what, Gabby couldn’t begin to comprehend. All she knew is that she was both alarmed and fascinated by it. Her cousin’s wife appeared to be dancing, but the moves were far more risqué than the waltz, and far more beautiful than any of the group dances Gabby knew.

She was in a dilemma. Did Christopher know? And if he did, why would he allow his wife to be undressed and in the arms of a man who wasn’t her husband?

Before she could finish her thoughts, however, Christopher stepped into her line of sight. He took the same stance as Mark just had and waited for Hannah to fly into his arms. He wasn’t nearly as graceful as Mark was, and Hannah giggled when Christopher’s hand landed on her inner thigh.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Christopher said.

“It’s okay. You just tickled me.” She kissed him quickly. “Want to try again?”

He nodded and she made her running leap again. This time Christopher caught her without tickling her, kissing her again before setting her on her feet.

She clapped and squeezed him around the waist. “Oooh, that was so good, baby.”

“Okay, next move,” Mark said.

Gabrielle was drawn back to Mark and his body. Truly, he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Even after her admission of falling in love with him, she hadn’t been disappointed. The two of them had practically been inseparable over the past few days, and he seemed like a good man. But what he was doing with Hannah at the moment was absolutely unacceptable. Even with Christopher watching.

She was ready to walk in and break up the party when the music stopped and Rayne Powell stepped out from behind the piano in similar attire as Hannah.

“My turn,” she said.

Two of them? In one day?

Gabby felt her face heat. Instead of shiny slippers, Rayne was barefoot and naked. No, not naked. Wearing something that seemed to be painted onto her body and then men’s pants that hugged her bottom indecently. Gabby waved her hands in front of her face in an effort to cool it.

The dance Rayne and Mark did was more aggressive... and dangerous. Gabby’s heart raced when they came together and Mark lifted Rayne above his head. His muscles rippled as he held her, his strength evident in the firm grip he had on the woman. Gabby suddenly wanted to be right where Rayne was.

She couldn’t move. Even if she’d wanted to, she would never have been able to. Her heart was in her throat when Mark threw Rayne into the air and caught her just before she hit the ground. Without warning, four sets of eyes were suddenly on her. She didn’t realize she’d made a sound.

“Gabby?” Hannah asked.

Gabby turned to flee, but strong arms caught her from behind and pulled her close. “Gia. What are you doing, sweetheart?”

She squeezed her eyes shut. That name. His name for her on his lips absolutely ruined her.

“Come inside. We’ll explain,” Mark said.

“I... ah, I don’t think I should.” She swallowed. “I think I should go.”

He turned her to face him and smiled. She closed her eyes, knowing she’d never be able to resist him face to face.

“Why are you closing your eyes?”

“If I don’t, I won’t be able to think clearly.”

Mark chuckled. “That might work to my advantage.”

Before she could respond, his lips covered hers and she realized it didn’t really matter if she could see him or not. He’d always be able to distract her. She sighed and looped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

“Are you guys going to come out of there, or make out all day?” Rayne called.

Gabrielle broke the kiss, her face burning. “What does make out mean?” she whispered.

“Kiss for a long period of time,” he whispered back.

Gabby’s eyes widened. “Did they really see us?”

“No. Rayne is guessing.”

“Oh. That’s much worse than I thought.”

Mark chuckled, kissed her once more, and then led her into the ballroom. Her cousin was busy assisting Hannah with her dress that she’d pulled on over her undergarments, while Rayne wrapped a shawl around her shoulders.

“Are you wondering what’s going on?” Christopher asked her.

Gabrielle nodded.

Mark grabbed a chair and set it next to Gabrielle, indicating she should take a seat. After she sat, he said, “I have something somewhat unbelievable to tell you.”

“That sounds ominous,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

Mark grabbed a strange looking bag with straps on the back, crafted from a fabric Gabby had never seen before. “What’s that?” she asked.

“This is called a backpack and I have a few things in here to show you.”

She glanced at Christopher, who smiled gently and then grabbed chairs for Hannah and Rayne. They sat facing Gabrielle. Mark knelt in front of her and opened the bag.

Gabrielle gasped. “What is that?”

“It’s called a zipper. See how the teeth move to close and open?”

She ran her hand across the metal. “It’s remarkable.”

“It’s from my home.”

“Which is where?” she asked.

“Harrisburg.”

“They have these in Harrisburg?”

Mark nodded. “In the future.”

“What?”

“I’m not from this time, Gia. I’m from the future. Two-thousand twenty-one to be exact.”

Gabby stood and put distance between them. Chris and Mark stood as well.

“It’s true, Gabby,” Christopher said.

She wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I don’t understand.”

Mark held his hand out to her. “I’ll show you.”

She shook her head.

“Okay. Um. I have other things.”

She watched in confusion as he pulled strange items from the bag. He held up a rectangular piece of paper. “This is a map from Disney World.”

“You went to Disney World?” Rayne asked.

Mark nodded. “Yeah, Shaun took the crew. He shut it down for one night last year and invited me as well.”

“Jealous. Did you bring that to rub it in?” Rayne challenged with a grin.

“I brought it because I knew I needed proof at some point and a map of Disney World doesn’t require a battery that could die.”

“Oh, good point.”

“Focus, Mark,” Christopher warned.

Gabby had almost made it out of the room, but Christopher’s warning had Mark’s attention squarely back on her.

“Please, sweetheart,” Mark pleaded. “Let me explain.”

“Don’t call me that,” she said.

The expression on his face nearly broke her. Nearly. She didn’t know what to make of her cousin’s reaction, or lack thereof. As Mark shifted from foot to foot, Gabrielle’s heart went out to him. She wanted to believe him. Wanted to listen, but none of it made any sense.

“Keep going, Mark,” Christopher said. “She’ll understand. I know her.”

Gabby narrowed her eyes. “What do you know of this?”

“He’s not the only one, Gabby,” Christopher said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m from the future,” Hannah said.

“As am I,” Rayne added.

Gabrielle felt the burn of tears. Her heart raced painfully as she shook her head. “No.”

“Wait,” Mark said, holding a hand out to her again. “Don’t run, Gia. Please. Let me show you something.”

She glanced at Christopher, who smiled gently. She tried not to scowl. His smile to calm the crazy woman was one of legends and she and Gwen had often commiserated together about the way women threw themselves at him.

“Nothing will happen to you, Gabby,” Christopher said. “I promise. Just listen to what Mark has to say.”

Oh, how she wished Quincy were there right now.

“I have a video, but I need to come closer, okay?” Mark said.

She bit her lip, but gave him a reluctant nod.

Mark walked towards her and showed her a strange metal box. “This is a phone. An iPhone to be exact.” He pressed a button and music sounded in the echo of the ballroom.

Gabrielle gasped and stepped away when an image appeared on the front of the box. Someone in the box started singing. She recognized the singer and stepped forward to get a better look. “Is that Rayne?” she whispered.

Mark nodded. “I used to dance for her. She made a lot of money singing.” He pointed to the device. “That’s me.”

Gabrielle took another step forward and watched the box until Mark performed some complicated move and Rayne reappeared. Terrified and confused, she looked to Christopher for answers. “What kind of witchcraft is this?”

Christopher shook his head.

“It’s nothing like that,” Mark assured her. “There are many inventions in the future that will astound you.”

Gabrielle shook her head. “No. This isn’t right,” she muttered.

“Gia, please.”

“No!” She bolted from the room and ran smack dab into a hard body.

“Gabby?” Quincy steadied her with his hands on her arms. “What’s amiss?”

She shook her head.

“I told her,” Mark said from behind her. She hadn’t even heard him approach.

She turned, trying not to scream, and then faced Quincy again. “What does he mean, Quinn?”

“Let’s go back into the ballroom, huh?” Victoria suggested.

Gabrielle shook her head. “You can’t possibly believe this, Quinn.”

“I can, Gabby,” he said quietly. “Victoria’s one of them as well.”

“What?”

Mark took her hand. “Come inside. We’ll explain.”

She pulled her hand from his, but stepped back into the ballroom.