owner, Zaire tethered his horse. Bred, born and raised on this land, Thunder knew every square inch of the entire ranch.
China looked toward the massive A-frame structure. Turning around, she faced Zaire. “Impressive piece of architecture! Wish I’d gotten here a long time ago. I stopped in town ‘cause I can’t resist browsing quaint little gift shops. Billboard advertisings are posted everywhere. Do you think someone’s inside to check me in?”
He gave an assuring smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll be checked in. Come with me.”
China lifted an eyebrow. “You seem to know the ropes around here.”
“You could say that,” he answered.
China followed Zaire into the cozy, comfortably furnished lobby. A beautiful pregnant woman with flawless burnished brown skin stood behind the counter. As she looked up, her striking, dark amber eyes showed compassion. Flowing like a curtain of silk, thick auburn hair fell softly below the stunning woman’s slender shoulders.
“China Braxton, this is Hailey Hamilton-Kingdom. She’ll get you checked in and assigned to a cabin.”
Acknowledging each other with slight nods, the women smiled warmly.
“I’ll wait around and escort you to the cabin,” Zaire said. “The property is well lit, but I’m sure you can use help with your luggage.”
“Thank you.” China was a bit amazed by this good-looking man. He reminded her of her father, a loving, caring gentleman from head to toe. Brody Braxton had always been ready and willing to help anyone in need.
“I’ll be right outside when you finish up. Take your time, China,” Zaire said.
China’s eyes followed Zaire to the door. Knowing she’d see him again made her smile. As of late, she hadn’t met many kindhearted men. His left ring finger was bare, she’d noted, but Hailey’s last name was also Kingdom. Was she his wife?
Hailey pushed a lengthy form in front of China. “Please read the rental agreement and sign at the bottom. We’re thrilled to have you as a guest. Welcome!”
“I’m excited to be here. My father loved this place.” At the thought of Brody Braxton, her eyes suddenly filled with tears. “He requested I bring him back here to scatter his ashes. A native Texan, Dad chose Whispering Lakes Ranch as his final resting place.”
Hailey felt instant sympathy for China, but she didn’t think now was the time to address the obvious grief.
“Do you work here full-time?” China asked Hailey, shaking off her grief.
“I help out whenever and wherever. I’m on maternity leave from the Air Force. Not sure yet if I’ll return to active duty after the baby comes. We’ll see.”
“Is Zaire an employee? He seems so knowledgeable about the place.” Talking about Zaire would be a good distraction from her father.
Hailey laughed softly. “Along with his brothers, Zurich and Zane, the three Kingdom brothers own this fantastic resort. Zaire gave up his corporate job to live his dream. He’s made the ranch a favorite vacation spot for folks from all over the world.”
China smiled softly. “Three Z’s, huh!”
“Their mom loved the names. My mother-in-law, Bernice, is a sweetheart. So is my father-in-law, Morgan.”
“Wow, you sound like a woman who actually likes her in-laws! Which brother are you married to?” Hoping she wasn’t married to Zaire, China sucked in a deep breath, holding it tightly.
“Zurich. He’s retired from the Air Force. He’s employed at a local Brownsville television station. We’re both meteorologists.” Hailey grinned. “I need to make a slight correction to your comment. I love my in-laws. They’re wonderful.”
China was pleased at Hailey’s answer. “Do your in-laws visit the ranch often?”
“They own a house on the land and a huge motor home. The entire family has custom-built homes on Whispering Lakes Ranch. Our residences are a good distance apart, but we’re as close as a phone call. Our family participates in most of the guest activities. The brothers and their father pull many of the instructor and guide duties.”
China signed the registration form and handed it back to Hailey along with her American Express card. “Do you need any ID?”
“Just your driver’s license. The other important information was supplied on the application you filled out online.”
Amazed by the wealth of information Hailey had imparted on the Kingdom family, China had an urge to ask her if Zaire was married. She refrained. Instead, she picked up a brochure describing the ranch, though she had glanced over one at home.
The dude-style ranch was advertised as a lively playground for family vacationers and couples or singles looking for a fun getaway. Horseback/trail riding, hiking, calf roping, swimming, fishing, tossing horseshoes, Country-Western dancing and having fun barbecues were a big part of the ranch’s entertainment package. Inside a barnlike structure, the indoor-activities clubhouse included a bar, dance floor, pool tables and mechanical bull. Karaoke was offered two nights a week. Weekends featured live bands.
Whispering Lakes Ranch was touted as the perfect place for the outdoorsman or the sports-minded woman, as well as for the man or woman who blossomed outdoors in the wide-open spaces. China was glad she’d get to experience firsthand the place that had kept her father intrigued enough to return there year after year. Working long hours and continuing education classes had kept her from vacationing with Brody.
Chewing on a toothpick, Zaire looked out over the horizon. He never got enough of this idyllic place. His love of the land and the peace it brought was why he’d left his corporate job. He’d leave the hustle and bustle of city life every weekend and on holidays to ride the range, survey and explore the extensive Kingdom-owned acreage.
The more Zaire had thought about what he could possibly do with all this prime land he and his brothers owned, the more elaborate plans began forming in his mind. After several months of serious soul-searching and researching, he’d shared his ideas with his brothers. Sold on Zaire’s brilliant vision, they’d agreed to act upon it. Zurich and Zane hadn’t initially planned to live on the land like Zaire had. The brothers later realized it was the best solution for making the place a huge success.
In perfect harmony with the land, Zaire was never more content in his life. From sunup to sundown, he lived and breathed Whispering Lakes Ranch. This was his safe haven, a place that never let him down. He had no desire to live anywhere else.
Hearing the door open and shut, Zaire turned around and saw China. “I’ll drive my SUV back to the cottages. You can follow me. What cabin did Hailey assign you?”
China looked at the key in her hand. “Cabin nine.”
Zaire nodded to show he approved. “The full kitchen and separate rooms make it one of our premier cottages. I think you’ll love it. Wait here until I pull around the SUV.”
As Zaire strode toward the side of the building, China took in an eyeful. Watching him walk was electrifying. The man was over six feet tall, deliciously dark and handsome. She loved his sexy, confident swagger. The cowboy boots appeared to be cut from the finest
