One month later …

The steps leading to the entrance of the guide dog school for the blind loomed before Dax like Mt. Everest. He had to take his faithful guide through those doors and release him back to the school. It was the right thing to do. Tucker had it in him to help someone else, perhaps someone who was as desperate as Dax had been. But how? How could he do it? He couldn’t seem to make his feet move forward.

Tucker looked up at him. As Dax peered into his cocoa brown eyes, which seemed to hold all the love and compassion in the world, he could almost believe Tucker understood the turmoil he was experiencing.

Brooklyn put a hand on Dax’s arm, as her mouth curved in a tender smile. “It’s the right thing to do.”

He squared his jaw, nodding. “Find the door,” he croaked.

Tucker led Dax forward. And even though Dax no longer needed a guide dog, he let Tucker do his job.

A few minutes later, they were led into a small room. A tall, slim brunette woman came in behind them. “Hello, Dax. Hello, Tucker.” She looked at Dax, giving him a slight smile. “You may not remember me, but I’m Marty. I helped with your initial training.”

“I recognize your voice. It’s nice to put a face with it.” He motioned. “This is my fiancée Brooklyn.”

Marty extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Brooklyn,” she said briefly before turning her attention back to Dax. “It looks like you’ve taken very good care of Tucker.”

A grim smile touched Dax’s lips. “He’s taken great care of me.” His voice clogged, and he coughed to recover himself. “Sorry.” He swallowed, his hand going to his mouth. “This is hard.” A memory flashed through his mind. He was at his lowest when Tucker crawled in bed and slept by his side. And then there were the countless times he led Dax around the city. “He gave me back my independence.”

Marty nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“I just don’t want Tucker to think I’ve deserted him,” Dax said, his voice taking on a pleading tone. “He’s been my friend … my guardian.”

“This is a very unusual situation,” Marty continued. “In all my years here, I’ve never had anyone recover their sight and need to give a dog back. I want you to know Tucker will receive a good assignment. I’ll make sure of that.”

“I appreciate it,” Dax said, tears glistening in his eyes.

Marty lowered her voice, glancing over her shoulder. “I could get in trouble for telling you this, but Tucker’s going to a teenage boy who lost his sight in a boating accident. Tucker will be a great blessing to him, just as he was to you. The boy has been on a waiting list. Now that Tucker’s available, well, he’ll be a direct answer to prayers.”

Dax nodded. “Thank you.” He knelt down so that he was eye level with Tucker. “Thank you, boy,” he whispered. “You helped save me. I’ll never forget you.” He closed his eyes and brushed Tucker’s fur, remembering for one last moment how it had been when it was just the two of them, and Dax had depended on Tucker for nearly everything. Tucker licked his face. Dax laughed through his tears when he felt the sandpaper sensation against his skin. He looked up at Brooklyn who had tears streaming down her face. He stepped back and let her also say goodbye.

She hugged Tucker tightly, burying her head in his fur. “I’ll take good care of Dax for you,” she gulped. “I promise.”

Dax looked at Marty, who was also wiping away a tear.

Brooklyn stood and clasped Dax’s hand.

“It’s time to go,” Dax said gruffly, unable to take much more of the emotional thrashing.

Brooklyn nodded, sniffing.

“We’ll go out first,” Marty said. “It’ll make it easier for Tucker.” She took his leash. “Find the door.”

Tucker hesitated, giving Dax a questioning look.

Dax had to force the words from his throat. “It’s okay, boy. Do as she says … find the door.”

Something shifted, and for one amazing moment, Dax got the impression Tucker understood. And that it was okay.

Forever dutiful, Tucker led Marty to the door. He glanced back at Dax one last time before Marty opened the door and they stepped through it.

* * *

“Close your eyes,” Brooklyn ordered. They were in Dax’s den. As hard as it was to say goodbye to Tucker at the school, coming home was tougher. Everywhere they turned, there were memories of Tucker—his pad in the corner, his toys. Dax was putting up a brave front, but Brooklyn could tell he was devastated.

Dax let out an uneasy laugh. “Hey now, you can’t expect a former blind guy to get excited about closing his eyes.”

“Oh, don’t be a baby. It’s just for a minute.”

“Okay,” he finally said, leaning back against the couch. “This had better be good,” he grumbled.

“It will be. And no peeking. I’ll be right back.”

He frowned. “Where are you going?”

“You’ll see.” A few minutes later she returned carrying a box. She placed it in front of Dax. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

He looked down at the cardboard box, a teasing smile flittering over his lips as he rubbed his hands together. “Awesome. A box! Just what I always wanted.”

She gave him a playful shove. “Just open it.”

He complied, his eyes going wide as he looked at what was inside. Brooklyn tensed, as she watched conflicting emotions battle on his face. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. But she had to at least try. She couldn’t just sit back and do nothing while Dax was hurting.

“Go ahead,” she urged. “Pick him up.”

Dax’s lips vanished into a hard line as he reluctantly put his hands in the box and picked up the golden retriever puppy. His brows knit together. “I don’t know about this.”

Brooklyn sat down beside him and rubbed the puppy’s head. “Look how cute he is.”

“I know what you’re trying to do,” Dax huffed, “but it won’t work. I just can’t—” He stopped mid-sentence, grunting in surprise when the puppy licked his face. His eyes rounded, and then Brooklyn saw his eyes soften. Time seemed to stand still, then he gave her a slight smile. “What shall we call him?”

“Hmm …” she pursed her lips thoughtfully, studying the puppy. “How about Rev?”

He made a face. “Rev? Like a Reverend in church?”

She giggled. “No, like rev up your engine.”

He laughed. “Oh, yeah. A fitting name for a former racecar driver’s dog.” He studied the puppy. “Rev, huh? All right. Rev it is.” He turned to Brooklyn, his eyes going tender. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dax leaned over and gave her a kiss on the mouth. Then he put Rev on the floor. Immediately, Rev bounded across the floor and found Tucker’s tennis ball. He tried to clutch it in his mouth, but it was too big. Instead, he knocked it with his paw and hopped around it a couple of times before pouncing on top of it.

Both Dax and Brooklyn laughed.

“You’ve got some big shoes to fill, boy,” Dax said.

“He sure does,” Brooklyn agreed. Dax turned to her, and she was relieved to see a hint of sparkle had returned to his eyes. She still marveled at the fact that he could see. She loved the way he studied her, like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

A slow smile stole over Dax’s lips. “Whaddaya say we introduce Rev to the lake. Watch the sunset together.”

Brooklyn nestled close to Dax as a feeling of contentment filled her. “I would love that.”