Eloise felt a chilly rush run down her spine. Her toes curled, her throat went dry, and her chest? Worse. Her chest tightened, a hard, sharp stab piercing her heart, making it feel worse than the chill.

She couldn't tell if her heart was sinking or aching. Or maybe both.

Her gaze stayed fixed on the video, lingering on his disheveled hair and the slight swelling under his eyes, signs he hadn’t been sleeping well.

There were days she'd have run outside to meet him out of worry, cup his cheeks, and sweetly assured him not to worry about anything. Smooth his hair for him and probably crack a joke....