Page 20 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“No one is ill, but thank you for your concern. I have Bishop Martinez driven here every Sunday morning to conduct mass for the household.”

“That’s a thoughtful gesture, and I’m sure everyone appreciates it. I’ll see you at one.” Piper turned and walked between the two corrals to the barn.

Seven of the eight horses in the barn had names, but a bay Arabian without a name was in the last stall. His reddish-brown body glistened from the sun coming in the porthole-style window above.

“You’re magnificent, aren’t you, boy?” Piper had picked up a handful of oats from a feed bucket by the barn door. “You don’t know it yet, but you and I will become good friends. Shall we start with a treat?”

She stepped closer to the stall, holding out her hand. The Arabian wasn’t wary of her at all as he came over right away and lapped up the oats. Piper slowly raised her opposite arm to stroke his neck and whispered encouraging words and tender praises. She did that for a short while, then carefully opened the door, picked up a brush, and began grooming the horse. Piper continued giving him a good brushing for ten minutes, checked his feet, put a halter and lead rope on him, and talked reassuringly to him.

“How about we take a short walk together? We’ll get a feel for one another.”

The horse responded to her commands well, and Piper felt they were a good match. Their leisurely walk took them around the barn and into the corral opposite Gran Dama, and eventually, Piper took off the halter and let him exercise his way. He was strong and had been well-trained, and she had decided on a name. They were out for the better part of an hour, after which she had led him into the stall and was giving him another quick brushing when Andrés entered the barn.

“How did it go? Are you the best of friends yet?” he asked, smiling.

Piper saw that Andrés had changed his suit for riding clothes, and a gaucho hat covered his black hair. She forced away the thought that he was rather attractive in anything he wore.

“I’d like to think we are,” she replied, stepping out of the stall. “He’s superior in every way. Thank you, again, for making him mine.”

“You are welcome. Have you come up with a name?”

“I have.” She took a piece of chalk out of her back pocket and began to write on the slate tag. “The first word I used to describe him was magnificent, so I think it fits.”

“I christen thee Magnum, Piper’s fine steed,” declared Andrés. “It’s a good name.”

“Thanks. Should we saddle up and start the tour?”

“Let’s do it.”

After saddling Darico and Magnum and filling two canteens with water, Andrés headed southwest from the stables with Piper alongside. As they trotted along, he explained that his grandfather had started a small cattle ranch on the southwestern edge of the property, which prospered and made him and his immediate family very comfortable.

“When my grandfather passed away, my grandmother sold the place lock, stock, and barrel, as you Americans would say. So when it and the surrounding acreage came up for sale, I bought it, and the ranch was born.”

“But that was after you were mega-successful as a venture capitalist, right?” questioned Piper. “I remember you mentioned starting the ranch four years ago.” She spied Andrés smiling at her description of his business.

“Yes, you are correct. Even that success, I owe to my grandfather. He left me a small inheritance which helped me start my firm. Shall we give our horses a good run?”

He signaled Darico, and they were off before Piper could answer. She was baffled by the quick change in the conversation but regrouped and sent Magnum into a run to catch up with Andrés.

After at least a two-mile gallop, he kept the conversation to describing the scenery and expanding on his plans for the future development of the breeding and racing of championship thoroughbreds. Piper listened with interest and was pleased that he expressed gratitude for his employees’ belief in his dreams and their dedication to helping to make them come true. They had stopped by a stream to give the horses rest and water. As they sat drinking from their canteens, Piper watched Andrés’ face become animated when he talked about horses and how he admired the way his grandfather practiced conservation measures before it was a worldwide issue.

“He had a respect for the land that I hope to emulate here on our property. I have been in contact with the department chair of the environmental science department at the University of California at Berkeley. We’re planning on bringing a team of her graduate students here to explore how we can honor the land.”

“Andrés, that’s a brilliant idea!” proclaimed Piper. “When are you thinking of starting the program?”

He stood and held out his hand to help her rise. “That has yet to be worked out. We should start back so we have plenty of time to groom and feed the horses before the sun sets.”

They gave the horses a run to stretch their legs and returned to the stables well before dusk.

“I’ve called a staff meeting for tomorrow morning at seven to introduce you to the staff and have the opportunity to get to know them,” informed Andrés as they closed the stable doors and walked toward the hacienda. “You can schedule your future meetings however often you deem necessary.”

“Thank you for thinking of that. I think it’s appropriate that you make the introduction, and I’m happy to take it from there.” Piper smiled up at him as they reached the point where the path separated. “I enjoyed the ride today, and Magnum was an excellent choice. We’ll get along great.”

Andrés turned to her and spoke with a sincerity Piper hadn’t expected. “I’m glad to hear it. It is important to me and everyone here that you are happy and fulfilled in your work.”

“Uh… well, thank you.” Their eyes briefly met before Piper began backing up on the path that led to the casita. “That’s nice for a new employee to hear. Goodnight, and I’ll be ready for the meeting at seven.”

“Goodnight, Piper Marshall,” he said warmly.

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