Picking up plastic plates and utensils, Zaire set the disposable dinnerware in front of China. “Mind if I fix your plate?”
Smiling, China nodded. “Please do. It’s not often I get waited on.”
“My pleasure.” He put several hot wings onto her plate. He’d had the chef throw together a small portion of potato salad, which wasn’t on the club’s menu.
“Onion rings or French fries?”
“French fries please.” Picking up a wing, China bit right into it. She started gagging. “Water—” she sputtered “—cold water!”
Zaire laughed inwardly. Having anticipated a reaction to the fire-breathing wings, he reached down beside him and retrieved a bottle of cold water. Twisting off the cap, he handed it over to her. “Here you go, China.”
Showing her gratitude with a smile, she tossed back the water like it was a lifesaver, draining nearly a quarter of the bottle in one huge gulp. Then she turned narrowed eyes on Zaire. “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”
Zaire threw up his hands. “Guilty as charged. The chicken is hotter than what’s served in most places, so I brought you plenty of cold water. Sorry I didn’t warn you.”
“No, you’re not. Those smirking eyes of yours tell a totally different story. You got one over on me. Just remember I owe you one.”
Recalling a similar experience Zurich had had with Hailey when they’d first met, Zaire laughed. “You got me. But I took care of you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did. You might want to tell the chef to lighten up on the spices. I’m pretty sure my tongue is badly scorched.”
“You’ll have to tell Bernice Kingdom her wings are too hot. I’m not going there. If I said something, she’d just say ‘don’t eat them.’”
China grinned. “Okay, so I won’t say anything. They are good, once you get past the burning sensations. I’ll take my time eating the rest.”
It was still dark as China made her way to the main building to meet with other guests who’d signed up for the fishing trip. She had given herself so many reasons to just lie there in bed, especially after the long drive from L.A. She hadn’t come here to sleep. Her desire to experience the joys her father had felt on this ranch outweighed any excuse she could come up with.
China had, stowed away in her tote bag, an urn filled with Brody’s ashes to sprinkle over the lakes. Her father had wanted his remains scattered in several key spots on the ranch. Whispering Lake, the ranch’s namesake, was one place.
Dressed in the type of comfortable clothing and footgear the brochure had recommended, China parked the car and cut the engine. Warm, swirling winds hit her head-on as she stepped out of the car. Instead of setting the car’s overly sensitive alarm, she made sure all doors were locked.
Surprised to see so many people already in the lobby, China found a seat to wait for further instructions. She had wondered how many guests had signed up for such an early morning outdoor activity. Now she had the answer.
“Hello, dear! I’m Marilee Cotton. All ready for the fishing trip?”
China smiled at the elderly woman with fawn-brown eyes, medium-beige complexion and mixed gray hair. “As ready as I can be. I haven’t fished since I was a teenager. I hope this trip will bring back fond memories of when my father took me.”
The lady reached over and gently patted China’s hand. “It will. Fishing is relaxing and fun, even if you don’t catch anything. I’m a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona. What’s your name and where do you live?”
“China Braxton, a native resident of Los Angeles, California.”
“We’re practically neighbors. I fly to L.A. a couple of times a year to lie on the beaches and shop on Rodeo Drive. My husband, Harry, died last year, but I still do everything we did before he fell ill. He wanted me to continue living an active life.”
“Good for you, Ms. Marilee,” China praised. “I’m sorry for your loss. My father passed away a few weeks ago.” She then explained her mission.
Marilee’s eyes glowed with sympathy. “Your profound loss is so new. I’m sorry for you. I have warm, wonderful memories to keep me company. Harry and I were so in love. As world travelers, Paris was our favorite European city. We honeymooned there.”
“Paris is a top spot on my future traveling agenda.” She had a strong urge to hug this dear, sweet lady, but instead she patted her hand in the same comforting way Marilee had touched hers. “How many times have you visited this ranch?”
“Oh, I’ve lost count. We’d come here for a week and then move up to South Padre Island. We did this every year after the ranch first opened, doing whatever our moods dictated. Harry and I were married for forty-plus years. Do you plan to visit South Padre Island? It’s a lovely coastal area on the Gulf of Mexico. Its beaches are beautiful, and the shopping villages are fantastic bargain havens.”
China’s eyes lit up with recollection. “I saw a day trip featured in one of the brochures. I think I’d like to check it out. Are you taking the excursion?”
“Absolutely! The tour is only offered on Fridays. I’m already signed up. It’s another early morning wake-up call, but that’s par for the course around here.”
“I’ll check to see if any seats are left. Perhaps we could sit together,” China suggested, feeling good about this kind lady. If she’d been married over forty years, she was probably in her sixties.
Marilee smiled warmly. “I’d love it. You remind me of my daughter Shannon. You both are pretty as a picture. She and her family travel with me as much as possible, although the grandchildren are grown. Glynnis is a recent college graduate, and Steven is a computer specialist.”
“May I have everyone’s attention?” a deep voice said, quieting all conversation.
The deep, velvety voice caused China’s pulse rate to race. As she looked at Zaire, warmth flooded through her. Corporate cowboy was a befitting moniker for him. His black jeans were creased to perfection. An off-white Western-style shirt showcased his broad shoulders and bulging upper muscles. His thighs appeared powerful. Riding Thunder was probably responsible for the lower portion of his physique. This was the first time China had seen him without a hat, but a Stetson was in his hand. His dark hair was cut low and neatly edged.
“Because we have so many guests signed up for the fishing trip, we’ll be using two guides. My brother Zane will take one group, and I’ll handle the other. We’ll be fishing on two lakes that are side-by-side. The first group of names I call will go with me. The rest of this group can follow Zane.”
Zaire called out several names. China hated that hers wasn’t among them. He then called for Marilee Cotton. Those already there when China had arrived were obviously being called first. She’d actually thought she might be only one of a handful of people up and out this early. She’d been dead wrong.
“That’s it for my list,” Zaire announced. “Zane will take care of the rest of you. The vans are outside. We’ll board fishing boats once we get to the lakes.”
China could literally taste her disappointment. It was bitter.
Marilee got to her feet. Bending down, she gave her new friend a quick hug.
“Sorry we won’t be together. Perhaps we’ll get another opportunity. Maybe we can chat over breakfast or lunch one day. South Padre Island is still a prospect.”
“It certainly is. Have a good time, Ms. Marilee. I’ll see you at the lake.”
China grabbed her tote and headed for the door to meet with Zane’s group. Two vans were lined up at the front entrance. As she walked over to the vehicle, China heard her name called. Turning around,