My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Don't Blame Me

The clouds were right over my head by the time I see them burst through the tree line. Bash is ahead of Willa and I watch as he slides off the horse before it even comes to a complete stop. He sprints into the stables and I watch as Willa trots up behind his lingering horse.

I step off the bench and right as I make it to the wooden fence post, I see Bash come flying from the stable entrance.

"There you Sawyer! You scared me half to death you know, riding off like that!" He snaps at me and his anger causes me to stop short.

"I rode off? You two left me behind. Margaret stopped to literally smell the roses and next thing I know, you two were gone," I snap back to him. I quickly remember my busted button so I snap my arms back up to my chest.

"I'm so sorry, Sawyer. You said you were an experienced rider so I thought you'd be able to keep up. I hadn't realized we had left you behind," Willa says but I know the apology is insincere.

"I am an experienced rider, that wasn't the problem. Apparently, your horse no longer enjoys rides in the woods," I tell her but she only acts confused. I decide to give her acting skills a two and wish to move on from her sabotage. I look to Bash and say, "You should have glanced behind you every now and then." His anger has dissipated but I am still annoyed. Suddenly a big fat raindrop falls onto my nose and I say, "Guess it's time to go inside." He exhales loudly and moves ahead of me to stride back inside. I don't look to see if Willa is following and I struggle to keep up with his brisk pace. Right before we make it onto the stone pathway, he spins around and says, "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. I looked back and nearly had a heart attack when I saw you weren't in line with us."

"I have a feeling your cousin planned it that way," I tell him flatly but he only purses his lips and snaps his head before saying, "Don't be silly. She wouldn't leave you alone in the woods." I then remember that Bash adores Willa. She's like his little sister, he's told me so many times. It would be best to not point the finger in her direction. He then grabs my hand and we continue into the house. He drops me off at my room before telling me he's going to shower and get ready for dinner.

I quickly strip out of my riding clothes and do the same.

*********

I agonized over what to wear down to dinner and finally decided on an emerald long sleeve chiffon dress. I decide to pull my matching emerald earrings out and now I am glad my momma made me travel with them. If Ava looks that fabulous during the day, I imagine she'll look just as flawless for dinner.

Bash knocks on my door and when I pull it open, I see he is in dark jeans and a button-down. He kisses me lightly on the lips and then shows me down to the lavish dining room.

As soon as I walk into the lowly lit room, I see the long dining table can accommodate up to fourteen people. There is a massive crystal chandelier providing the main light to the room and the shadows from the glass beading dance all across the dark walls. Down on the end of the table is Willa and Ava and at the head is Bash's father, Lord Crawford. Bash does in fact get his height and blonde hair from him and even though he's quite older, he is a very attractive man. I imagine he is just what Bash will look like in thirty years. My nerves decide to throw my stomach sideways as Bash leads me down to the end of the table. His father stands and I extend my hand out to him.

"Sawyer is it?" He asks and I nod as he takes my hand. "I heard you got to explore a bit of Waterford today," he says and I'm disappointed he didn't tell me what to call him. Is he Sir, Mr, Lord? Does he want me to call him by his name? I think to Bash and realize he technically has three names. Which one does his father go by?

I nod, "I did. I had no idea how massive the property was. It's beautiful," I tell him and he drops my hand and we take our seats. A salad is brought out to us and Ava looks to me and says, "I had them make you up a chicken dish. You do eat chicken?" She asks like I better eat freaking chicken.