Page 30 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

* * *

Andrés was showered, changed, and feeling much fresher by the time Eleanor entered the study an hour later. She noticed two glasses of sherry on the table beside the sofa and smiled.

“I see you are ready for me, Andrés.” She closed the door after seeing the wine.

“I know you have a strict edict not to have sherry until after five thirty, Eleanor. Please join me.” He chuckled and handed her the cut-crystal glass. “How was Luis while I was away?”

“Oh, excellent. He’s reading very well for his age and can recount his favorite storybooks from memory. I suggest you hire an art teacher, too; I have some names from Monsieur Laurent for you.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ve noticed that Luis is quite good at putting his imagination on paper.” Andrés hesitated after sipping his sherry. “But that’s not what you want to talk to me about, is it?”

Eleanor exhaled a deep breath. “No. Chef told me you had invited a guest for breakfast tomorrow. By chance, is it the new trainer, Ms. Marshall?”

“Yes. Do you disapprove?”

“It’s not up to me to approve or disapprove, Andrés. But it is natural for me to be protective of Luis and you. Please let me explain.” Andrés nodded for her to continue. “This is the first woman, let alone an employee, that you have invited into your home. I gather you are not concerned with Luis meeting her, and I wonder if it’s not too soon to bring her into your life. You have only known her for two weeks.”

Andrés stared into his sherry glass. “I have wrestled with this decision, Eleanor, so you are not alone in thinking it may be happening too fast. But…”

“You like her,” interrupted Eleanor. “And you also feel you can trust her because of your feelings.”

He downed the rest of his sherry and walked to the French doors that led to a well-tended garden and the play yard beyond. He watched the flight of a white-throated hummingbird as it went from blossom to blossom. Eleanor patiently waited for him to speak.

“I’ll admit, I’m somewhat frightened of my intense feelings for Piper,” he said quietly. “I think I’m falling in love with her, and I’ve only ever felt deep romantic love for Lily.”

“My dear boy, I have always been sure you would find that kind of love again and will be happy for you when it happens.” Eleanor hurried to stand beside him and put her arm around his shoulders—just as she would do to comfort Luis. “And Lily would want that for you, too. And for Luis.”

Andrés turns and kisses her on the cheek. “Thank you, Eleanor. But to respond to you about trusting Piper. I believe I do, but I will be certain after seeing her with Luis tomorrow.”

“She doesn’t know about Luis.”

“No, not from me. And I doubt from anyone else.”

Eleanor returned to her chair and the sherry. “Will you tell Luis about her?”

“I plan to tell him about her at bedtime tonight. I hope you agree I should speak with him about it.” He poured himself another sherry and filled Eleanor’s glass.

“Absolutely. Luis has been the center of your world all of his life. You must be aware that he might not accept right away sharing your attention with anyone.”

“I thought about that, yes. But Luis has a loving nature about him; he gets that from his mother. At first, he may be apprehensive about Piper’s presence in my life—in our lives. But if a relationship is to happen, I know your guidance and love, along with mine, will help him understand and welcome her into his heart.”

“He does remind me of Lily with his sweetness,” Eleanor said, smiling wistfully. “But he’s observant and smart as a whip, so I advise you to watch what you say and do around Ms. Marshall. He will figure it all out before you expect him to if you don’t.”

“You are right, of course, and I will. Now, we better get out to the dining room before the dinner bell—Luis’ shouting—rings through the entire house.”

“You have poured too much sherry for me, as usual.” Eleanor gave him a pointed look. “I shall have to take it to the dining table.”

Andrés laughed and opened the door to let her pass before him. “There will be wine at the table.”

“As well I know.”

* * *

Andrés sat with Luis during his bath and listened as his son talked about the changes he had made to the flying car, his American football practice with Emmett, and how he had moved up a level in reading. When Luis was bathed, he put on his pajamas and jumped into bed with his father next to him.

“Papa, what are you hiding behind the pillow? I saw you put something there when I was getting dressed.”

“You’re too quick for me, Luis.” Andrés pulled out a book from behind the bed pillow. “It’s a new book I thought we could start reading; it’s calledBlack Beauty.” He handed the book to Luis.

---