“I want shoes to match,” she said softly.
“Yes, ma’am. Right away,” the shop assistant said, hurrying off.
Mandy walked closer and touched Eloise’s arm gently. “Eloise... are you sure you’re ready for this?”
Eloise turned her eyes toward her. There was no hesitation in them. Only a fierce, burning determination.
“I have to be,” she said, her voice almost breaking. “I don’t have a choice.”
Mandy’s throat tightened. She wanted to hug her, to pull her back, to stop her from going, but she knew she couldn’t.
Just then, Eloise’s phone buzzed.
Mandy immediately grabbed it from the counter and handed it to her. “It’s Jacob,” she said quietly.
Eloise answered on the second ring. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” Jacob’s voice came crisply through the speaker. “A car is waiting for you outside. Your pa
