Dax waited until he’d put more distance between himself and Brooklyn’s house before letting the tears dribble down his cheeks, hurt rolling over him. While he detested women like Paula Reese, he couldn’t deny the truth of her words. Brooklyn would be taking on a heavy burden by getting tied up with him, a different way of life. He’d come a long way since the accident; while he’d regained a measure of independence, he would never be normal. All that he’d lost settled over him like a black cloak of despair, and he felt himself spiraling back down into the pit of despondency he’d tried so hard to claw his way out of. He felt like he was back at square one, realizing he’d never see again and that his racing days were over.

Was he a coward for walking away from Brooklyn? No, as much as he wanted to run back to her, the cowardly thing would be to overlook her needs for his. Because he wanted her, body and soul. In fact, he’d never wanted a woman like he wanted her. Every part of his being craved being with Brooklyn. She’d brought joy and happiness back into his life. And he couldn’t imagine life without her. When he was with Brooklyn, he felt whole. Being blind didn’t seem to matter all that much … until now. Hearing those hateful words spoken by Brooklyn’s mother unveiled a painful truth. Brooklyn deserved a better life—a life with someone who could be her partner, her equal. He couldn’t even drive himself places. Couldn’t make a simple meal without his housekeeper’s help. And, Tucker was a permanent fixture in his life, at his side nearly 24/7 where he would remain for the next nine or so years until he went into retirement. Then Dax would be forced to get another guide dog. Did Brooklyn even like dogs? He’d not thought to ask her. She seemed to get along well with Tucker. That’s just it. Brooklyn took everything in stride, giving him false hope that he could fall in love. She’d told him she loved him. The bitter irony was that he was falling in love with her too. Why was life so cruel, giving him everything he wanted for one tiny moment, then wrenching it away. The anguish in Brooklyn’s voice had nearly ripped him to shreds. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, “that I can’t be the man you deserve.”

From this moment on, Dax was done with relationships. Done with falling in love. It was simply too painful and too unfair to the other person. “It’s just me and you boy,” he said to Tucker as he shuffled towards home.

* * *

Brooklyn spun around when she felt a hand on her shoulder. “How could you?” she spat at her mother.

“I’m sorry I caused you pain. I was only trying to help.”

Brooklyn pushed her mother’s hand away. “Help?” she yelled. “You weren’t trying to help! You destroyed my life.”

Paula shrank back. “Quit being so dramatic.” She sat down on the couch and patted the spot beside her. “Come over here and sit down, so we can talk about this.”

Brooklyn stood. Her eyes were puffy and sore, head throbbing. All she wanted to do right now was slap the innocent look off her mother’s face. But, it was high time they had a talk. When Dax walked away, something inside Brooklyn snapped. She was done capitulating to her mother. She straightened her shoulders and strode over to the couch.

“Like I said, I was trying to help. I know it hurts right now, but in the end you’ll see—”

“Stop it, Mother,” Brooklyn commanded her eyes flashing. She’d been raised to respect her elders … not speak out of turn … but this had gone too far.

The outburst silenced Paula.

“You had no right to say those things to Dax.”

“But—”

“Shut up,” she barked. “You were mean and insensitive.”

“I was only trying to make you understand the situation.”

“Bull crap,” she hissed.

Paula’s lower jaw trembled as she fingered her neck. “What?”

Brooklyn leaned forward. “You could’ve said all of those things to me in private, and yet you waited until Dax was here. You humiliated him.”

“You’re blowing this way out of proportion.” She let out a shaky laugh.

Brooklyn pointed a finger. “You blew everything out of proportion. I love Dax Preston, and nothing you say or don’t say will change that. I’m with him because that’s what I want.”

Paula’s face fell.

“Furthermore, I don’t appreciate the way you’ve been treating me the past few years.”

Her hand trembled as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. “W-what do you mean?”

“You accused me of making a pass at Justin.”

“Well, that’s what Madison said … initially.”

“I don’t give a rat’s tail what Madison said.” Her voice rose. “I told you the truth, and you didn’t listen. And another thing, where was your outrage when Justin, my boyfriend at the time, dumped me and married my own sister?” Fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “You didn’t defend me. No, you made excuses for Madison, like you’ve always done.”

“I—I—that’s not fair,” Paula said, wringing her hands.

“I know it’s not fair,” Brooklyn thundered.

Paula drew back, her voice cracking. “Why’re you saying such hateful things?”

“Really? You’re saying that to me after you humiliated the man I love? You’re pathetic, Mother.”

A crazed look came into Paula’s eyes. “I was just trying to protect you. Ramsey’s crazy about you. He could give you a good life—”

“I don’t want Ramsey,” she screamed. “I’ve never wanted Ramsey. I want Dax! And I don’t care if he’s blind. I love him.”

“But you don’t understand how limited your life will be. How will he provide for you?”

A hysterical laugh bubbled in Brooklyn’s throat. “I own a business, Mother. I don’t need a man to provide for me. Look around! I have a nice condo, car, and money in savings. Besides, Dax is wealthy. He has a million-dollar home, co-owns a racing team, plus investments. But none of that matters to me.” Her voice broke. “I love Dax, the man. For the first time in years, I was happy, and you destroyed that. Why do you hate me?”

Tears pooled in Paula’s eyes. “Honey, I don’t hate you. I love you.”

“Well, you have a lousy way of showing it.”

“I’m proud of you. You’ve always been so independent, determined to do everything your own way.”

“That doesn’t make me enemy one.”

“The reason I took Madison’s side was because she needed me. She’s not strong like you.”

“Thanks a lot, Mother,” Madison cried.

Paula’s jaw dropped as she turned and looked at Madison. “I-I didn’t realize you were there.”

“Well, I was.” Daggers shot out of her eyes as she ran out of the room. A second later, they heard a door slam.

“Oh, dear.” Paula’s face folded as she started crying. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she kept repeating.

Brooklyn just sat there, glaring at her.

Finally, Paula pulled herself together. “I’m really sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Well, you did.”

“Contrary to what you think. I admire you.” She hesitated. “And you’re right, I misjudged you. I assumed that you were still hung up on Justin and trying to get back at your sister.”

“You’ve misjudged me all my life.” She folded her arms tightly over her chest. “If I had a daughter that had the gumption to start her own business, I’d tell her …” Her voice broke, as she drew in a breath. “I’d tell her I was proud of her.”

“Oh, honey, I am proud of you. So proud.” Paula touched her hair, but Brooklyn drew back, so Paula clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “I’ve made a mess of things. I’m so sorry.”

The lines around Paula’s eyes and mouth looked deeper than Brooklyn remembered. Her anguished expression made her appear older … fragile. Brooklyn softened a smidgen. As frustrating as her mother was, she still loved her. “I still can’t believe you said those things to Dax.”

Paula sighed. “And I still have a hard time believing that you’re willing to enter into a relationship with a blind man.”

Brooklyn rubbed a hand across her forehead, a deep weariness settling over her. “Dax is a great guy. If you weren’t so prejudiced, you’d recognize that. Tell me this, what would you do if Dad suddenly went blind?”

Paula’s eyes widened, and she began fidgeting with her hands. “That’s not fair.”

A surge of power went through Brooklyn, and she knew she had her mother on the run. “What would you do?” she pressed.

“Stand by him, of course.”

“Exactly,” she snipped.

Paula shook her head. “But that’s different.”

“Why, because it’s Dad?”

“Yes … I mean, none of us knows when something will happen. I made a commitment to your father, long ago. And he’s committed to me. But that’s different from knowingly entering into a relationship when you have the deck stacked against you. You don’t have to live this kind of life. You have a chance to live a normal life with a great guy who loves you.”

“Ramsey doesn’t love me, Mother. He loves the idea of me, because his mother planted that notion in his head. And frankly, I don’t want to end up with a man whose mother drags him around by the nose. I want a guy who’s strong, exciting. A guy who can make his own decisions. Think for himself, then tell the world to stick it.”

Paula’s expression tightened. “You want Dax.”

“Yes, I do.”

They sat there, glaring at one another, neither of them willing to back down.

Finally, Paula spoke. “If you’re determined to have a relationship with Dax, then we need to have a discussion about his dog.”

“What in the heck does his dog have to do with anything?”

“Can he at least get a dog that doesn’t shed? Golden retrievers are notorious for shedding. Think about when you have children. Do you really want your babies covered in dog hair? That’s not healthy. What if they have allergies?”

Brooklyn belted out a hoarse laugh. And once the laughter started, she couldn’t stop. It felt good to release the tension.

Paula’s eyes narrowed. “Why’re you laughing?”

“You really are too much,” Brooklyn said, mopping her eyes.

“I don’t understand what’s so funny,” she said testily.

Brooklyn shook her head. “You wouldn’t.” Her heart sank as the reality of the situation settled over her. “At this point, I don’t know that Dax and I are going to have any type of relationship. He was really upset when he left.”

Paula waved a hand. “Oh, he’ll cool off. Men always do.”

“I don’t know.” She gave her mother a hard look. “From now on, you have to promise me that you won’t interfere with my relationship.”

“I suppose I could tell you that,” Paula grumbled. “But you and I both know that’s not going to happen. You’re my daughter. I’ll always be involved in your life. That’s what good mothers do.”

“Good mothers don’t intentionally try to destroy their daughters’ lives.”

Paula jerked like she’d been slapped, as a stricken look came into her eyes. “I said I was sorry. And contrary to what you think, I was doing what I thought was best.”

“I know.” That was the ludicrous part. Her mother really was doing what she thought was best. She’d twisted this thing around in her head so that Ramsey was the knight in shining armor, whereas Dax was the villain. Paula was notorious for seeing only what she wanted to see.

“I love you, Brooklyn. And I’m so very proud of you.” Fresh tears misted her eyes. “I hope you know that. I’m sorry about the whole Justin thing.” Her eyes narrowed, bitterness coating her voice. “He pulled the wool over mine and Madison’s eyes. We should’ve listened to you.”

Brooklyn let out a breath. “Yes, you should have.” She felt like a weight had been lifted off her. For so long she’d harbored resentment about Justin and how her mother viewed the situation. “Thanks. That means a lot.” The tiniest of smiles crept over her lips. “I love you too.”

Paula reached out and gathered her in a tight embrace. A minute later, she pulled back. “Okay, now it’s time for me to make amends with your sister.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” She still couldn’t believe her mother had called her strong and Madison weak. Yeah, that was going to be hard to smooth over.

Paula stood. Before she stepped out of the room, she turned, holding up a finger. “Oh, one more thing. If Dax Preston’s half the man you think he is, then he’ll come back.” She arched an eyebrow. “And if he doesn’t, you’re better off without him. Any man that tucks his tail and runs just because a girl’s mother expresses her disapproval is not worth having.”