Page 22 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“Andrés thinks of the staff as family and wants them to be comfortable and have all the conveniences one would find in a home.”

Rosamund was at the espresso machine and told Piper where to find the cups and saucers. They sat at one of the tables with their piping hot espresso and a plate of almond biscotti.

“Are you settled comfortably in the casita?” asked Rosamund as she passed the plate to Piper.

Piper smiled. “It’s more like a ranch house you would find in the suburbs in the United States. But, yes, I’m exceptionally comfortable there.”

“It is a lovely, spacious home away from home,” agreed Rosamund. “My husband and I recently purchased an acre of land not too far from here, and I want our house to be built from the same floor plan but with four bedrooms. We both have family in Montevideo who will visit often.”

“Do you have children?”

Rosamund smiled. “No, not yet. We have a small apartment in Tacuarembó and would like to wait until our house is built.”

The women continued to talk while they nibbled on biscotti and drank their espressos. When they returned to Rosamund’s office, she reviewed her checklist of tasks yet to be done in planning the international race with Piper. They had been in the office for five minutes or so when Andrés came into the stables with four men, including the one Piper recognized from the celebration dinner and the newspaper photo. They were all speaking Italian, and Piper could tell from Andrés’ demeanor that he was in the self-confident, proud, and aloof persona he donned for the public.

He stepped through the office door and stiffly requested that Piper join him for a moment. She was unprepared for him to speak to her in such a formal tone but followed him to where they met the others gathered around Gran Dama’s stall, admiring the foal. Andrés introduced her as the new head trainer professionally yet distractedly and immediately led the men to Señor Alberto Luis’ stall, leaving her standing alone and feeling awkward. Piper sighed and started to return to Rosamund’s office when the man she recognized approached her.

“I have heard of your many qualities, Mademoiselle Marshall. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Armand Durand, and it is my pleasure to meet you finally.” He spoke with a French accent and added a gentlemanly bow of his head.

“Thank you, Monsieur Durand. I’m sure whatever you may have heard has been greatly exaggerated.”

He fixed a charming but sincere smile on his face. “I will look forward to deciding that for myself. And my father, the winemaker, is Monsieur Durand; I am Armand. May I call you Piper?”

“I would like that.” She returned the smile.

He turned around to see Andrés and the men exiting the stables. “Please walk with me as I catch up to them.”

Piper obliged, and as they walked, Armand asked what she felt about her move to Uruguay and the people she had met at the ranch. She felt very comfortable talking with him and thought him friendly and unpretentious.

“Piper, I must join the others, but you are invited to the party I’m giving this evening for Andrés and this group of wealthy men who want to make more money by breeding winning thoroughbreds. I am leasing a hacienda nearby and will send a car for you at seven. Please say you will attend. It will allow me more time to decide on those exaggerated claims.”

She laughed gaily and drew the attention of Andrés. Piper saw the tension in his jaw and contemplated turning down Armand’s invitation. But on second thought, she considered it a chance to impress upon Andrés that she could hold her own among his friends and colleagues at social gatherings.

“Thank you, Armand, I accept. It’s very gallant of you to include the new girl in the neighborhood.”

“I’m delighted.” He startled her by kissing both cheeks, as Europeans are wont to do. “The car at seven, no?”

“Yes, I’ll be ready.”

It also occurred to Piper that socializing with Andrés’ peers might be helpful in learning something to satisfy Felix’s demands for information. At least, that’s what she told herself as her gaze followed Andrés leading the group to the corrals and barn.

CHAPTER11

ANDRÉS

Andrés had to leave the stables to meet a group of gentlemen who were interested in investing in the breeding side of the business. Gregorio had gone to pick them up at the Tacuarembó airport and, once they arrived, Andrés was to give them a tour of the facilities and then host a lunch.

One of his former clients, who had become a good friend, was Armand Durand, and he was the liaison between Andrés and the parties interested in investing. He was also accompanying the men from Tacuarembó. Andrés decided to wait for his guests on the hacienda’s front veranda and sat in one of the chairs made of solid mesquite wood with vintage leather upholstery.

He was more than satisfied that the staff’s acceptance of Piper was unanimous. She had obviously charmed them as much as she had charmed him, although he was hesitant to admit the effect she had on him. It had been a long time since Andrés had felt anything for a woman, and Eleanor would saytoolong a time. But he knew he had to lose any feelings he may have toward Piper. He had a rule not to get romantically involved with an employee or client and would feel like a hypocrite if he broke it. And Andrés couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t feel unfaithful to Lily. She would have to be an exceptional woman for him to break his rule and take the place of Lily in his arms.

The car pulled up, and Andrés put his personal thoughts aside and turned on his successful, confident entrepreneur image. He rose and walked out to greet the group. Armand exited first and stood aside while the other three men stepped out of the limo.

“Bienvenidos, caballeros! Welcome to Estancia Luis Grande,” Andrés said as he walked forward for the introductions.

Armand introduced everyone. The gentlemen were from Italy, and all agreed that Italian would be spoken during their visit. Andrés explained where their tour of the property would take them and encouraged them to ask questions at any time. He suggested an espresso before starting and confirmed that lunch would be served before they returned to Tacuarembó. While enjoying their espressos in the employees’ dining area, the guests marveled at the property’s beauty and complimented the structured layout of the facilities training the horses. They also inquired about the trainers on staff.

“Emmett Shepherd, the assistant trainer, has been with me since I began. He has a stellar reputation and spent twenty-five years training thoroughbreds in the United States. I have recently employed a head trainer, Piper Marshall, who has trained champions in Argentina and at Bankes Farms in England, and I have every confidence in her. I will introduce you when we visit the stables,” answered Andrés in Italian.

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