Page 57 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

Andrés was disappointed he could not leave earlier. But it gave him time to write an email to the international racing commission informing them he had new information to add to the investigation. He included John Harris’ contact information and noted that Mr. Harris was willing to sign an affidavit or testify to what he had overheard. Andrés added that he, too, would attest to the conversation he had with Bankes.

He laid in bed later thinking about Piper and was ashamed of how he had treated her only minutes after they had expressed their love to one another. Andrés knew there was a chance she would not be interested in forgiving him, but he would grovel as much as needed if there was a chance he might win her love back. He fell asleep thinking Luis would never look at him again if he didn’t return to the ranch with Piper—and a horse of his own.

CHAPTER26

ANDRÉS

Andrés had no recollection of ever being nervous about anything, but in the rental car setting up the GPS to get him to Piper, he realized his heart was rapidly beating and his hands were sweating. She hadn’t called again since he’d missed her call the night before, and he wished she would so that he could talk to her before facing her. He had an hour to get a grip and think clearly.

“Think clearly! Ha! If I’d been thinking clearly, I would have never let her leave,” he thought aloud as he drove along. “I’ll probably be thinking crystal clear tomorrow after she refuses my apology and tells me to go to hell.”

Soon the GPS was telling him his turn was half a mile away. Andrés saw green pastures and cattle on the right side of the road, and in the distance, he could see a two-story stone ranch house that looked like it could be a lodge at one of Wyoming’s ski resorts. It was the only house for miles around, and he guessed it would be at the end of the right turn he was supposed to take. Andrés pulled the car into a parking area surrounded on three sides by a stone wall. He took several deep breaths before getting out of the car and walking up the steps to the impressive house.

He rang the bell, and when it was answered by an older version of Piper, he knew he was at the right house.

Mrs. Ford’s blue eyes seemed to be smiling at him as she stepped out to greet him. “Hello, Mr. Olivera. I’m Marianne Ford, Caroline’s mother.”

Andrés opened his mother to respond to her, but words failed him. His confusion must have shown on his face because the smile in Mrs. Ford’s eyes had traveled down to her lips.

“I’m sorry, I should have let you introduce yourself. But I knew you had to be the Andrés Olivera Caroline described, although I must say she didn’t do you justice. You’ll find her in the stables this time of day. After you two have spoken, will you please bring her to the house with you? It’s lunchtime, and her father will be here soon.”

“Uh… I would be happy to do that, Mrs. Ford.” Andrés had never felt more awkward in his life—not even on his first date in high school.

“You can’t miss the stables. They are to my right and down the hill, and I’ll hold off serving until we’re all here.” She smiled and went into the house.

“Thank you,” Andrés said to no one who would hear.

He walked to the edge of the long wooden porch and peered around the corner to locate the stables. He used the steps on that side of the house to get to the stables and heard Piper talking to a horse before he saw her and found her grooming the horse.

“We had a good ride today, didn’t we, Peppa? Mom will be happy you didn’t keep us out too long and make me late for lunch like you did yesterday. And just so you know, I did blame it on you.” She laughed and hugged Peppa’s neck before she turned and saw Andrés. The brush fell out of her hand, and a dry sob escaped her throat.

“Oh… oh my… oh, Andrés, you’re here!” She ran to him, and he caught her in his arms and held her as if he would never let her go while she cried what he hoped were tears of joy at seeing him.

“Andrés, we must sit down. I have so much to explain,” Piper said through her tears. “Let’s sit there on that bale of hay and don’t say anything until I tell you everything.”

He obliged and refrained from pointing out that he must know something if he’d found her at someone named Ford’s cattle ranch. Piper told him the whole story from Jamie’s death to Felix’s blackmail to her suspicion that Felix had something to do with the blood sample, and Andrés listened patiently throughout.

“I know I identified myself as somebody I wasn’t,” she said breathlessly, “but I didn’t misrepresent my abilities to do what I was always hired to do. I should have confessed to you, and I didn’t.” The tears that had slowed down while she told her story began streaming down her face once more.

“Come, let me hold you close.” She moved closer, and his arms went around her. “I’m glad you’ve finally told me, but as of yesterday, I knew you were not Piper Marshall but Caroline Ford of Wyoming. And I have a story to tell you.”

Andrés explained what he knew about Felix’s part in everything and that he had emailed the head of the investigation with all the information.

“I haven’t quite figured out the details of how he accomplished his goal, but I wouldn’t doubt bribery and shady people were part of the scheme.”

Piper sniffed. “I think I have that part figured out. Felix sent his private secretary to have the sample messed with by that second lab.”

“That’s probably the missing link.”

Andrés released her and upturned her face so her eyes could see the sincerity in his. “I am profoundly sorry that I assumed the worst and treated you so callously. I should have afforded you the chance to answer my questions, but I was too concerned with protecting my business and my heart. Can you possibly forgive me for such ignorant and hurtful behavior?”

Piper put her arms around his neck and lifted her lips to his, and her soft but passionate kiss was her answer.

Andrés didn’t want the kiss to end, but he had more to say. She pulled him back for a quick kiss when he tried to break their touch.

“Piper… no, Caroline. I have to say this to the right person.” He took a deep breath and grasped both of her hands in his. “I know there is only one person I love, and her name doesn’t make any difference. She makes me feel so much joy and peace, not only because she told me she loves me, but because I know she loves and is committed to my son. Caroline Ford, will you marry me?”

Caroline gasped, then raised on her knees and, in between kisses over his entire face and lips, repeated, “Yes… yes… yes.”

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