Page 32 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“Oh, yes!” Luis twirled back to face Piper. “Please come in, Ms. Marshall.”

“Thank you,” replied Piper, and Luis stepped behind her to close the door.

“How did you learn Spanish?” he asked, looking up at her.

“I took Spanish classes in school in the United States, and when I came to South America and began working on a ranch in Argentina, I spoke Spanish every day, so I became better and better at speaking and understanding the language. Your English is excellent, Luis.”

Luis nodded his head in agreement. “We are a biolingish—that’s not right. What is the word, Papa?”

“Bilingual.”

Luis smiled. “Oh, yes, that’s it. We are a bilingual family. English was my mama’s language and is Eleanor’s, too.”

Piper stilled at the mention of his mother and had no idea what to say or ask.

Andrés interrupted their conversation. “Luis, I would like to welcome Ms. Marshall as well. Do you think you can carry this plate to the kitchen?”

Luis frowned at his father. “You know I can, Papa.” He looked up at Piper. “Did you bring a treat?”

“I made some medialunas for our breakfast. And I would like your expert opinion on how they taste.”

“I love medialunas! How did you know? I’ll take the plate now, Papa. But don’t talk about anything until I come back.”

Piper giggled, and Andrés took a serious tone. “I should say a few words, but I promise we won’t discuss anything important until you return.”

“I’ll hurry back, Ms. Marshall.” Luis held the plate tightly and carefully walked in what Piper assumed was the direction of the kitchen.

She waited until Luis was out of earshot, then slowly turned to face Andrés with arms folded. “You have a son.”

“I do.” He wore a contrite expression, but Piper wasn’t going to give up on getting some answers.

“You don’t think you could have given me a heads-up so I didn’t act like a blubbering fool?”

“You were not blubbering, and I will explain everything later if you can be patient.” He moved forward and unfolded her arms to grasp her hand and lift it to his lips. “Good morning, Piper. Welcome to our home.”

The “we” and “our” statements! Finally, I understand.

Piper slightly shook her head at what she had considered initially and started laughing. “Good morning, and thank you. I do have the patience to wait for your explanation, but I don’t have the patience to wait for a mimosa.”

Andrés joined in the laughter. “I can remedy that. Come with me.”

Another surprise for Piper was that he took her hand to lead her into the coziest great room she had ever seen. At one end, there was a majestic stone fireplace big enough for Andrés to stand in, and a long mahogany bar at the other end. There was a semi-circular conversation pit in front of the fireplace and three smaller conversation areas between the pit and the bar. The colors were vibrant blues, reds, and sunflower yellow.

Andrés was behind the bar opening a champagne bottle while Piper walked up and down the bar, feeling the smooth wood and admiring the workmanship.

“This has the look and feel of an antique,” she said. “It is an awesome piece.”

“You have a good eye. It’s the bar from one of the oldest cantinas in Mexico City. When I found out the cantina was to be sold to make way for a condo and shopping complex, I made arrangements to purchase the bar and have it shipped here,” explained Andrés.

“You must have been in the cantina to have remembered the bar.”

“I was visiting Mexico City with my grandfather, and he knew of the place.” Andrés came around the bar, handed Piper a mimosa, and raised his glass. “Here’s to the end of your first week at Estancia Luis Grande. Salud.”

“Thank you, and now I know how it got its name. Salud.”

Luis came running into the room and stood by Piper. “Papa, may I have a glass of orange juice to salute Ms. Marshall?”

“The proper pronunciation issa lood, Luis, and you may have orange juice. I suppose you would like it in a flute glass.”

---