Page 2 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“Yes, Marsh. It opened about an hour ago,” answered the doctor. He laughed. “If you’re inclined to begin celebrating early, I hear the champagne is flowing too.”

Piper rolled her eyes. “A little too early for me on that one, but I’ll have a glass when Sir Valor wins.”

She walked to the stall to ensure her head person was on top of the horse’s feeding and rest schedule and was greeted by Sir Valor’s welcome neigh.

“Good morning, handsome,” she whispered as she rubbed his neck. “I know you’re ready to give your best today.”

“I think this is the calmest I’ve ever seen him,” said Lydia, the yard manager at the Bankes Farms stables.

“Let’s see that he stays that way,” said Piper. “You know the drill. Keep admirers and visitors away as much as possible, including Felix. He can be a nervous ninny on race days. I’m heading over to the pavilion for some coffee now; can I get you anything?”

Lydia smiled and bent down to pick up a thermos. “It would be great if you could fill my thermos with coffee, black and no sugar.”

“Sure thing,” said Piper, taking the thermos from her. “I’ll be back in a few.”

She walked toward the owners’ pavilion, which was set up with a variety of beverage and food choices for the owners and their teams. When she entered, she saw Felix sitting with one of the racing commissioners at a table near the back corner. Felix pretended not to see her, which was his habit when any of his staff were around, and Piper chuckled. He was opposed to the owners sharing their space with any of the stable people.

“One of these days I’m going to ask him who he thinks gets his horses ready for the races,” she mumbled to the coffee urn as she poured the liquid into the thermos and sealed it.

Piper poured a mug of coffee for herself then went to check out the food options. She filled a plate with strawberries and loganberries, added a hard-boiled egg, and then turned to find a seat. As she scanned the area, her eyes met those of Andrés Olivera, seated at another corner table. He nodded in recognition, and Piper felt her cheeks reddening for heaven knew what reason. Worse than blushing, she couldn’t turn away from the brown eyes boring into hers. The next thing she knew, her view was blocked.

“Let’s find you a table, Piper.” Felix’s cold voice broke her stupor.

Collecting herself, she replied in an equally cold voice, “I don’t need your help to do that, Felix.”

“Apparently, you do. You willnotembarrass Bankes Farms and me by flirting across the room with that upstart Olivera.”

Piper saw an empty table to the right side of her and walked around Felix to sit down at it. He followed and took the chair across from her.

“Listen to me very carefully, Felix,” she said as she spread her napkin on her lap. “I was not flirting with Mr. Olivera; it would be none of your business even if I were. And I would never do anything to embarrass Bankes Farms. I want to eat my breakfast in peace, so please excuse yourself.”

Piper turned her attention to peeling her egg and chose not to notice Felix’s forced smile and hardened jaw.

“We will discuss this insubordinate attitude of yours another time,” snapped Felix as he stood. “Please excuse me.”

“Of course.” She flashed him a smile before he walked away.

This is not going to be an easy day, she thought as she bit into her egg.

* * *

Piper was standing next to the veterinarian, reviewing his notes of Sir Valor’s final pre-race exam. The horse checked out in perfect condition for the day’s final race. Felix was usually present at the exam to see Sir Valor before he was led to the paddock and walking ring, and he also liked to have a few words with the jockey. Piper hadn’t seen him since the pavilion, though, and she guessed he was pouting.

She walked with Sir Valor as the traveling head person, Gil, had control of the horse. They separated at the stands’ entrance, and she went to the owner’s box to find Felix seated next to a lovely brunette Piper had never seen before.

He said hello and made a curt introduction to the brunette, and Piper took a seat behind them with Lydia.

“I’ve been here for ten minutes, and he’s barely acknowledged me,” whispered Lydia, nodding in Felix’s direction. “Is he upset about something to do with Sir Valor?”

“No, it’s not both of us, only me, but it has nothing to do with the horse or today’s race. Don’t worry about it,” reassured Piper.

She picked up a program lying on the table and halfway down saw an entry she hadn’t seen before. The horse was Señor Alberto Luis from Estancia Luis Grande in Uruguay, and the owner was listed as Andrés Olivera and the trainer as Emmett Shepherd. Piper quickly looked at the odds board and saw that Olivera’s horse was slightly below Sir Valor to win. She motioned Lydia to look at the board, and Lydia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Felix hasn’t seen it yet, or we’d be hearing about it,” Lydia said quietly.

Piper nodded as more of Felix’s guests entered the box, and he stood to welcome them and direct them to the tables. The box held two tables for six people each and four individual seats at the front. Felix called for a club waitperson to bring four bottles of champagne in ice buckets and a bottle of red and white wine for each table. He sat down, and the brunette passed him a program. Piper heard him point out Andrés’ horse to a man sitting beside him and laugh mockingly.

“I wouldn’t laugh yet, old friend,” the man said. “Have you seen the odds?”

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