The nicest table in the tea shop was near the window on the west side of the store. It opened up to Lookout Mountain.

Abigail had set it special for Mrs. Winters' birthday celebration, with three chairs. She'd found the Prussian china sets, which she loved the most, and used them for presentation. Clare had arranged an elegant tea, and Abigail had ordered an ornate flower arrangement with roses, which had been delivered that morning.

The antique store down the street had had a crystal tiara in the window, and Abigail couldn't help herself. She bought it for Mrs. Winters and had it on the table waiting with the arrangement.

She hadn't seen Mrs. Winters since they had visited in the hospital, though Carson assured her she was doing fantastic in her new place. As she primped in the small office space, in the back of the store, Clare leaned against the doorjamb and watched her.

"You look happy, Abi. Really happy," she said as Abigail fussed with her curls, and then touched up her lipstick.

"I want to be happy," Abigail said. "I guess I'm glad he's so stubborn."

That caused Clare to laugh. "You're a good team that way."

Abigail chose not to take the stab at her personality seriously. Of course she was stubborn. She had to be. However, had he not been so stubborn, then they would have missed this opportunity.

The chimes above the door rang and Clare looked behind them through the kitchen. "Your party is here," she told Abigail as she went back to work on pastries.

Abigail took one more look at herself in the mirror. Maybe she did look happy. Had she seriously forgotten what it looked like?

She looked down at her dress and realized she still had on her apron. Taking it off, she hung it on the hook as she was going to sit down and enjoy this tea even if she was the host.

The moment she turned the corner from the kitchen, she caught Carson's eye. The smile that developed on his face told her that he loved her as much as he said he did. It gave her heart a little kick each time.

Mrs. Winters was removing her jacket, with Carson's help. As soon as she was free from it, she turned to see Abigail standing there.

"Abigail, happy birthday." She held open her arms and waited for Abigail to move to her.

Though Abigail wouldn't even think of not hugging the woman, fear bubbled in her throat as she wondered what she would see.

Abigail moved to Mrs. Winters and let her hug her. Squeezing her eyes shut, Abigail forced any foreign thoughts from her mind.

Mrs. Winters stepped back and examined her. "You look lovely."

"As do you," Abigail complimented. "I do believe you're glowing."

Mrs. Winters leaned in toward Abigail's ear. "I'll tell you a secret. I was wrong to live alone in the house for so many years. It's fantastic to live among others." She stepped back and smiled.

Carson pulled out a chair. "Mrs. Winters, why don't you sit here," he offered.

Mrs. Winters took the seat, and Carson turned toward Abigail.

He took her hands in his and kissed her on the cheek. "Happy birthday, beautiful."

Mrs. Winters let out a grumble. "Dear Lord, boy. Kiss her correctly. You can't love a woman and not kiss her correctly on her birthday," she scolded.

Abigail felt the heat rise in her cheeks as Carson tipped his head and placed a kiss on her lips which lingered until every cell in her body buzzed with the delight that his kisses brought to her.

"There are three chairs. I assume you're joining us?"

Abigail nodded. "Yes. Clare has taken care of everything."

Carson pulled out the chair next to Mrs. Winters, and Abigail sat down. Carson then took the remaining seat.

Mrs. Winters admired the floral arrangement. "These are lovely, my dear."

"They're for you," Abigail acknowledged. "I know you love roses."

"I most certainly do."

"And the box there is for you as well," she offered as Mrs. Winters reached for the wrapped box.

"You got me a present?" she asked, and Abigail noticed Carson's glance toward her.

"I did. I saw it on my way to work this morning, and you had to have it."

Mrs. Winters reached for her and patted her hand, which to Abigail's delight, did not share any visions with her.

Mrs. Winters went on to rip open the wrapping like a child at Christmas, which delighted Abigail. When she pulled the crystal tiara from the box, she laughed the most joyous laugh Abigail had ever heard from an adult.

"Oh, my! This is the most delightful thing I've ever seen. Thank you."

Carson sat back in his chair and crossed his legs, as he did when he observed. "That's a fantastic present, Abigail. Mrs. Winters certainly is our queen."

"Maybe she's a princess," Abigail countered.

Mrs. Winters laughed. "Oh, I'm a queen. Most definitely a queen. And dear, Abigail, you can be my princess."

Abigail smiled. "I'd like that."

"Carson, come put this on me. I want to wear it every day."

Carson stood and walked to Mrs. Winters. He took the tiara from her and placed it on her head. "Does that feel right?"

"It feels perfect. I feel like royalty. Thank you, Abigail. This was a fantastic surprise."

As Carson rounded Abigail's chair, he ran his fingers across her shoulders, and she stiffened. Again, her head filled with a dark cloud, but she couldn't see anything inside of it. She tried to keep her reaction neutral, though she was sure that Mrs. Winters already knew she'd seen something.

Clare bounded from the kitchen with a tray of tea pots for each of them.

Abigail looked at Mrs. Winters. "I don't think you've met my cousin Clare yet. Clare, this is Mrs. Winters."

Clare set the tray on the table next to them and shook Mrs. Winters' hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. These two talk about you often."

"They should," she said. "I'm the one who brought them together." She looked at Abigail and then to Carson. "I think they'll live happily ever after." She assured them with her eyes.

Carson's hand slipped under the table and to Abigail's knee. She turned to look at him smiling at her. She certainly did love him, even if this budding romance was new. Thank goodness they'd worked through her insecurities, she thought as Clare began to explain their tea for the afternoon.

Of course, Abigail didn't hear Clare's description of anything as she was busy thinking about the man, whose hand caressed her thigh. Perhaps Mrs. Winters was right to marry her love when she knew he was right. They'd have arguments and disagreements again, but he'd stood by her side every time she tried to push him away.

"Abi."

She looked up at Carson to see that he was talking to her. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked you to hand me the cream."

"Oh," she said as she nodded and handed it to him.

"Are you okay? You looked a bit lost for a moment."

Abigail looked at Mrs. Winters, and then back at Carson. "I was just thinking about what Mrs. Winters said about us and happily ever after."

Carson poured the cream into his tea, then set it on the table. "And what were you thinking about it?"

Abigail let out a breath as she took Carson's hand. "I was thinking that I was glad we worked things out, and I'm thankful that you're not foolish enough to always listen to me. Not everyone is going to cower from me and what I can see. You're both proof of that," she said as she sent a smile toward Mrs. Winters. "I love you. And I'm glad that she saw that too."

Carson leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I'm glad she did too. Now, Clare said she made a cake for you ladies. I can't wait to try it."

As Abigail watched Clare bring out the cake she'd been fussing over, and Mrs. Winters' eyes went wide with a child-like wonder, Abigail realized that everything was going to be perfect for them. It truly was a spectacular birthday so far, and she was glad to be sharing it with Mrs. Winters and the man she loved.