Page 27 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“Fantástico! One o’clock?”

“I’m not sure where I’ll be today, so I’ll meet you there.”

Piper found the groom, Lukas, already working with Señor Alberto Luis in one of the training rings. He was a young man, twenty-one years old, and he told her he had been working with the thoroughbred since Señor was six months old and had worked his way to an exercise rider. Piper demonstrated the longeing training technique she recommended for even experienced race horses. She watched as Lukas rode the champion and praised his style.

Before meeting Rosamund for lunch, Piper located the yard manager, Geoffrey, an Englishman who had twelve years of experience with Irish thoroughbred racing yards. She asked if he had time to meet with her that afternoon, and he readily agreed. Several other stable staff stopped her throughout the day to ask if there was anything they could do for her. Piper was grateful for the friendliness and welcoming nature of the team.

When Piper arrived at the dining room, Rosamund was already making a salad.

“What can I do to help?” asked Piper.

“The olive oil, vinegar, and salt are on the counter next to the pantry. You can mix them in the cruet for the salad dressing if you like.”

“I’m on it.”

A few other staff members sat at tables, and all said hello to Piper. When Rosamund took the empanadas out of the warming oven, Piper laughed.

“Those aren’t leftovers, Rosamund. There are enough there for an army.”

“Yes, yes, but my parents and sister came to our apartment last night, and I had to make enough for them to take home. I’m putting some out for our coworkers so believe me, there will be none left.” Rosamund prepared a large serving plate and announced to the dining room that the empanadas were ready.

Piper and Rosamund talked as though they had known each other far longer than two days. Piper learned Rosamund had trained in dressage in England and had ridden in the 2016 Summer Olympics. After that, she had returned to Uruguay and married her university love, Eduardo.

“And I want you to meet him. I know you have a model kitchen in which to prepare meals, but you eat alone. You will come to our apartment in Tacuarembó on Thursday night for dinner,” insisted Rosamund. “You have yet to experience the city, especially the nightlife. So we will take you to our favorite disco club after dinner.”

“I should practice driving my new car into the city first,” Piper said, chuckling. “I haven’t driven it anywhere yet.”

“Nonsense. You will come home with me, then either Eduardo or I will drive you back here.”

Piper could see the determined expression on Rosamund’s face and realized she would be fighting a losing battle if she continued to decline the invitation. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

“I will accept on one condition. You bring me back to the ranch, but instead of driving back into Tacuarembó, you stay the night in the casita. There is a second bedroom, which is lovely, and you will be rested for work the following day. Deal?”

Rosamund stopped eating to consider the suggestion. “That would be more convenient, wouldn’t it? Like your American sleepovers. Yes, I’ll do it. But I warn you—I don’t do those pillow fights.”

Piper laughed. That was a condition she could agree to.

* * *

The following two days were busy ones for Piper. She met and talked with each team member and was impressed with each and every one. Andrés wasn’t joking when he said he would only be hiring the best of the best. But learning anything unique to training methods was not happening. All she discovered was an allegiance to a well-respected employer, a love of all things equine, and a desire to be a part of the success of Estancia Luis Grande.

Thursday’s dinner at Rosamund’s gave Piper the best night out she’d had in a very long time, and Piper adored Eduardo. While he cleaned dinner dishes, the two new friends drank more wine and shared their experiences with horses, breeders, trainers, and competitors. Piper asked a few discreet questions about finances and business matters and, again, learned nothing that was suspect. When Eduardo joined them, Piper was interested to learn about his job as an environmental engineer. They were talking and enjoying each other’s company so much that the idea of going to the disco club was scrapped until another time.

Piper waited near the apartment door when it was time to leave so Rosamund and Eduardo could have privacy to say their goodnights. On the return drive to the ranch, Rosamund talked more about the business of running breeding and training programs. She had the utmost confidence in Andrés and Piper, as head trainer, to put Estancia Luis Grande thoroughbred racehorses on the map.

“What about the breeding program, Rosamund? Is it in full operation?” said Piper as she poured glasses of red wine once they had Rosamund settled in the casita’s guest room. “There isn’t a breeder on staff, or at least not one I’ve met.”

“Up to this point, Andrés has used an independent breeder,” Rosamund said. “I don’t know what he will decide if he purchases the stallion he went to see in Argentina. You’d have to ask him.”

“Hmmm, I will when he returns.”

* * *

Rosamund informed Piper that Andrés was expected back at the hacienda by four p.m. on Friday. Rather than risk a phone call from Felix with Andrés around, she initiated a phone call to update Felix and made the call from the barn.

“Hello, Caroline,” he answered. “What information do you have for me?”

Piper was disturbed by him using her birth name. “What was that? A not-so-subtle reminder of what’s at stake?”

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