Because Carson's house was still not fully finished, though the kitchen was coming along, they'd agreed to stay at Abigail's.

She'd stopped and bought groceries and had planned a nice meal. Though not much of a cook, she could roast a chicken just fine with potatoes and vegetables.

The audible appreciation was heard from Carson the moment he walked through the door. "God, that smells good," he said as he closed the front door and walked into the kitchen.

Abigail opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses, as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His lips went straight to her neck, and she relaxed against him. "I'm glad you're home."

"Me too. It was a long day," he said as she handed him one of the glasses and took the other for herself. "You're doing okay though?"

Abigail set her glass on the counter and turned to him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Only asking."

"Who told you what?"

He sipped his wine before setting his glass next to hers and taking her hands. "Clare called me, and before you get mad," he held waited for her to relax and not speak. "I'm glad she did. I think you're stressing a lot at work and about us. I thought maybe we could take a long weekend and you could take me home with you and show me around."

"No," she said quickly and hoped that it carried the right tone to make her point.

Carson continued to hold her hands as he processed her answer. "Don't you think your family would like to see you?"

"They will at Thanksgiving when they come out here. I'm not going back, Carson. Not now. Not ever."

She turned from him hoping he'd leave it at that, but when he turned her back to him, she knew that wasn't going to hold him.

"I know that the people there treated you poorly. I get that. But, seriously, enough that you won't ever go back?"

Abigail felt the tears burning in her throat, and she fought them back. "No. Not ever. Now, I've made us a delightful dinner. Can we enjoy our wine and our dinner?"

Carson pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you, too, and I need you to understand."

"I'm trying." He stepped back but kept his hands on her arms. "Tell me you're not sick. Tell me you're not stressed. And tell me you're okay, and I'll believe you."

"I'm fine. Nothing is wrong with me. I just got dizzy at the store. We are super busy, but I'm not stressed. Is that good enough?"

"I guess it will have to be. I'd still like to take a weekend, just you and me."

Abigail rested her hand on his chest. "It'll have to wait until the beginning of the new year. The holidays will be very busy for us."

"Okay. I'll make some plans for the new year."

She pressed her hand to his cheek and felt as though she had his word. He would let her be until then.

---

Carson decided not to push the issue of what Clare had told him for the rest of the night. Abigail seemed content to serve dinner, take the offered help to clean up after, and then to sit and watch When Harry Met Sally on TV. As he listened to Harry and Sally reminisce about how they met, Carson thought about his house and her house. Neither was big enough for four kids, but just because he was told they'd have four kids, no one said they'd all come at the same time. If she did accept his proposal, he had to assume they'd move into her house, and eventually, he'd contract to have his finished. The thought humored him. Maybe when they were ready for a bigger house, he could have a hand in building it.

There was no denying that he was a bit disappointed when Clare confirmed that Abigail wasn't pregnant. He never thought that a slip up like that would be welcomed, but it most certainly would be.

She looked up at him when he realized he'd given her a squeeze with his arm as she cuddled up to him.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked. Her voice soft.

"Our future. I think about it a lot."

"Me too. And I think Mrs. Winters is right. Ellie is a nice name for a girl."

He pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "You'd do that? Name a daughter Ellie?"

"Of course. What better story to have than to tell people you're named after the woman to brought your parents together."

Carson pulled her to him even tighter now. "I think we should tell her our plans. I think it'll lift her spirits.”

---

They planned their special visit to Mrs. Winters for early the next morning, before work. When they arrived, they found her, again, surrounded by people in the dining hall having her breakfast.

She rose, and walked to them, enveloping them both in a hug, which Abigail felt surge through her.

"What a wonderful sight. I'm done with my breakfast. Let's take a walk to the game room. It has a nice view." Mrs. Winters hooked her arm through one from each of them and started toward the game room. "I had a feeling you two would come today, and I'm so glad you did."

"So not a huge surprise, huh?" Carson patted her hand which was hooked on his arm. "You're no fun at Christmas are you?"

Mrs. Winters laughed. "Oh, it's fun for me. You've never bought me something I didn't love. How do you suppose that happened?"

"Until this moment, I assumed I was a good gift giver."

Abigail laughed at his expense, and he shifted a glance her way.

Mrs. Winters rested her head against his shoulder as they walked down the hallway. "I talk to you, too, when you sleep. You just don't know it either," she said, and Abigail wondered if she talked to her, too. Lately, Mrs. Winters had been on her mind a lot. She wanted to ask her about the dizzy spells and the black cloud vision, but not in front of Carson. With it being the only vision she had with Carson, she was sure it was bad.

They walked into the room, with the western view of the mountains, and sat down at one of the card tables. The room was empty since it was still breakfast.

"I designed this part of the facility myself," Carson said as he looked around. "Donated most of the games, too."

Mrs. Winters patted his hand. "I'm sure that's why they chose this facility to put me in. I miss my house though." She pulled back her hand and adjusted the bracelets on her wrist. "Glenn says it's going to be a great while before it's livable. I think he's full of horse crap," she offered, and Abigail stifled a laugh.

Carson leaned back in his chair and crossed a leg over the other. "Why do you say that?"

"Because I'm old. I'm losing my mind. And I'm going to die. He doesn't want me to do that in my house."

The laugh that had been present shifted and nearly choked Abigail when she heard that. "This is a wonderful facility," she added hoping that her voice hadn't shaken as she felt it had.

"It's nice. I'll die here," Mrs. Winters said as she looked around the room. "I've seen it." The words were so nonchalant Abigail wondered if she were already ready to pass on. She didn't look it or sound it. Would she too get to that point sometime in her life?

Carson shook his head. "I hope for the first time, you're wrong."

Mrs. Winters simply gave him a grunt. "Why did you come this morning?"

Carson reached across the table for Abigail's hand. "We've been talking."

"You didn't propose. I can tell."

He smiled. "No. But we've been talking about the future. I know she's in it," he said with a wink in Abigail's direction that had her heart flutter. "I've been told we will have four children too."

Mrs. Winters again gave him a grunt which worried Abigail. Was that a wrong premonition? Or was four not enough? That was one thing she didn't even want to know about.

The smile on Carson's mouth widened. "Anyway, we both agreed that when we have a daughter, we will name her Ellie, after you."

Mrs. Winters clapped her hands together, causing her bracelets to chime on her wrists. "Oh, that makes me so happy. She'll be spirited. I promise you that."

Carson gave Abigail's hand a squeeze. "I have no doubt," he said.

Mrs. Winters reached for Abigail's free hand, and Abigail saw a flash in her eyes. The worry that clouded them was quickly covered by a smile. "Your grandmother would like one named after her too. Gwendolyn is a beautiful name."

The tears that had threatened earlier burst through and Abigail pulled back both of her hands to quickly wipe them away.

"I never told you my grandmother's name," she said to Mrs. Winters.

"You didn't have to, honey. She told me."

Abigail's heart raced as tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

"Carson, go to my room. In the top drawer of my dresser, there is an embroidered handkerchief. Bring it to Abigail. I want her to have it. My mother made it," she said, instructing him.

"I'll be right back," he said as he stood and left the room.

Abigail brushed away the tears and willed them to dry as Mrs. Winters turned to her. The humor and grace had left her face, which now grew pale.

"The church. Stop him."

Abigail swallowed hard trying grasp what she was saying. "I've been trying to stop him from…"

"All of it." Mrs. Winters voice shook. "He can't be part of it. Make him sell it. Make him—he has to stop." The words were stern and defined.

A nurse came to the door. "Ellie, I've been sent for you. You have a hair appointment."

The color returned to Mrs. Winter's cheeks, as did the smile as she turned to Abigail. "My son spoils me by paying for hair appointments." She looked back at the nurse. "Okay. I'm ready."

She stood, and the nurse hurried to her side.

"Goodbye, Abigail. Take care of my boy. I love you," she said as they walked out of the room.

Abigail sat there alone, her heart pounding in her chest and tears choking her. The desperation that had taken over Mrs. Winters' face still sat with her. What more was there to that church that could hurt Carson? Why was she warning her?

A moment later Carson walked back in with the handkerchief.

"It looks like you could still use this."

He handed it to her, and she looked at it. White linen with lace trim and a butterfly embroidered on the corner. "This is lovely."

Carson nodded and knelt down next to her chair. He ran his hand up her arm as if to soothe her. "I passed Mrs. Winters in the hallway. She told me to take care of you."

As Abigail dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief, she smiled up at him. "She told me to do the same for you."