Free The Bride Spy by Tracey Jane Jackson Page B

disguise her laugh. “I’m sure that Clayton can help with the buggy, which wil cut the time in half.”
    Clayton nodded. “Of course I can. Why don’t you help me, Chris?”
    Hannah moved to the parlor door. “I need to get my bag.”
    “I’l retrieve it for you.” Christopher moved toward the stairs.
    “No, you’ve done quite enough already, thank you.” Hannah pul ed him back. “I’l get it. Besides, you need to help with the…buggy thingy.”
    Hannah didn’t look back as she rushed upstairs and gathered her meager belongings together. She made her way back downstairs a few minutes later, slightly out of breath with anticipation.
    “Ready?” Emma asked.

    “More than you wil ever know.” She turned to Gwen, who stood with Emma in the foyer. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. Would you please thank your parents for me?”
    “Absolutely.” Gwen hugged her. “You’re welcome here--any time.”

CHAPTER SIX

    Hannah fol owed 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?”
    Emma pursed her lips. “Maryland is a border state and not much real y 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’l ask Sophie when we get home.”

    The sound of horse’s hooves interrupted any further discussion, and Hannah and Emma turned to see Clayton pul ing 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’l 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’l 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 real y 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 plot.”
    Emma smiled gently. “It’s al 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 al 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 stairwel . 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 wal of Christopher. Wel , 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