Page 41 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

“Your papa and I didn’t discuss my coming over this evening. You know, Luis, it’s okay if I don’t come over every night.”

“I know it’s okay, but I like it when you are with us.”

“Thank you for saying so, Luis, and I like being with you. Now, let me show you how to get Magnum to go into a trot.”

Luis followed Piper’s instructions and took the horse into a trot, and he whooped with delight at going faster than a walk. Rosamund clapped for them, and Piper kept a lookout for Andrés coming around the stables. They had decided it was crucial to be discreet with their relationship. It would not be easy to do if he unexpectedly ran into an employee standing around the corrals, and there was no way she could warn him about Rosamund. It wasn’t long before Andrés rounded the corner, but it was Luis who sounded the alarm.

“Papa, look, Magnum is trotting, and Rosamund is clapping for us.”

Andrés immediately spied Rosamund and joined her at the fence.

“I see that, Luis,” he shouted. Then Piper heard him say. “Buenas tardes, Rosamund. I expect you to be home with a glass of wine by now.”

She didn’t hear Rosamund’s response because she was concentrating on Luis as he led the horse into the barn. They started taking off the bridle when Andrés walked through the barn door.

“I can finish untacking with Luis, Piper, so that you can start the evening with your guest.” They locked eyes, and he winked at her.

“That would be helpful, thank you,” she replied. “Luis did well today and handled moving into a trot nicely.”

“I liked trotting, Papa. Piper said I’m beginning to sit a horse correctly, too. And I know that means I have good pusture.”

Piper put her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. “The word is pronouncedposture, Luis.”

“I have good posture.” Luis grinned.

“That’s it,” Andrés said. “Now let’s get the saddle off Magnum before he gets irritated with us. And thank Piper for today.”

Luis put his arms around Piper’s waist. “Thank you, Piper. I will miss you at supper.”

Piper was astonished at Luis’ loving hug and shot a look at Andrés. He had a wistful smile, and she knew he was thinking that Lily had never had the chance to feel her child’s arms around her.

“I will miss you, too,” Piper told him, choking back tears.

Andrés took Piper’s place beside Magnum, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as he passed. “We better get started, Luis. I’m hungry and don’t want to miss our supper.”

Piper swiftly walked away, wiping tears so Rosamund wouldn’t see.

* * *

Piper took a quick shower while Rosamund opened a bottle of Malbec. The rain shower head calmed her down, and she came out in her favorite sweats and damp, neatly combed hair. She sat down on the sofa with one foot under her.

“This has been one heck of a day.”

Rosamund brought her a glass of wine and sat on the opposite end of the sofa. “I should have thought of this yesterday. I could have stayed the night and brought my lounge pants.”

“Rosamund, you are more than welcome anytime, particularly when Eduardo is out of town. You won’t have to drive home and then back in the morning—mi casa es tu casa.” Piper took a drink of the wine. “Ahhh, this is excellent.”

Rosamund’s finger was tracing the rim of her glass. “Gracias. I’ll remember that the next time, but I’ll give you as much notice as Eduardo gives me in the event you have guests.”

“Please, I don’t know… anyone who… uh… would be here,” faltered Piper. “What I mean to say is, other than you, I don’t know anyone here well enough to invite for a visit.”

“No? Luis seems to think he knows you pretty well. I got the feeling he thought he would have dinner with you tonight.”

Piper took a long sip of her wine. “I might have said we could have a snack and talk about our sessions, but it was only if his father approved. No promises were made. You know how children hear what they want to hear.”

“Hmm. All I can say is to take it as a great compliment that one, you’ve met Luis and you’ve only been here two weeks. I only met him in the last year, and other employees have been here longer and have yet to meet him. And two, his father must trust you like no one else. Andrés is exceptionally protective of Luis, and Luis is rarely, if ever, seen without his father.”

Piper drained what was left of her glass of wine and got up to refill her glass and Rosamund’s. “How do you feel about pasta and a salad? If you prefer, I can put a fillet of corvina in the oven.”

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