Page 66 of Taming I Do
“Yeah, about the contest.”
“Don’t tell me you ran her off. I’ve got enough going on today, I can’t take any more bad news.”
I tried to spill it out, just dump a whole breath full of words about how I couldn’t be her hospitality host anymore. But instead, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m in a heap of trouble and I need help.”
“What now?”
“I swear someone’s out to get us. The butterfly wedding is this weekend.”
“That’s right.” Hopefully Delilah’s black eye would be gone by then or at least faded enough that she could hide it with makeup.
Lacey let out a groan. “We don’t have butterflies. Someone let them all loose last night. That bride is going to show up on Friday and all we’re going to have to release is a few giant moths. I need help.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “What happened? I thought you had them tucked away in a tent in the warehouse or something.”
“I did. But someone snuck in and unzipped it. There are a few in the warehouse but most of them have flown away. They’re probably halfway to Mexico by now. Are your brothers around?”
I clenched my jaw. I didn’t know what a cutthroat business weddings could be before I took on the role of hospitality host. “A few of them. What can we do to help?”
“I don’t want to alert the bride yet, not if we can figure out a way to replace the butterflies that were set loose. Do you think you and your brothers might be able to rustle some up for me?”
My heart stopped. For a long moment, I waited for it to start up again. Finally, I thumped the middle of my chest. “You want us to do what?”
“I’ve got some nets I picked up from Coop down at the feed store. I need as many people as possible to catch butterflies. Idon’t care what kind. Just as many as you can. Bring them to the warehouse.”
“You got it. I’ll call Suzy and see if she can get her club to pitch in as well.”
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“We’ll do what we can.”
“I’ve got a few more calls to make. I’ll be at the warehouse after four this afternoon if you want to bring me whatever you can find.”
“See you then.” I stood there for a second, letting her off-the-wall request sink in. Butterflies. What was my world coming to?
I wandered back into the kitchen. My mom had finished making breakfast and my dad sat at the head of the table, about to dig into his scrambled eggs.
“Hey, Mayor Cherish just called. She’s got a favor to ask if any of you have some time today.” My stomach growled at the smell of a homemade breakfast. I’d been working for a few hours already and had burned through the protein bar and cup of coffee I’d fixed myself when I woke up. But no time for that now, not with a mission from the mayor.
“What’s up?” Lucas diced up a banana and slid it onto the tray of Maggie’s highchair.
“Lacey’s got that butterfly wedding this weekend and someone let all the butterflies loose.” I reached for my mug of coffee that had cooled on the counter.
“You sure you want to get wrapped up in that?” Dad held a piece of bacon in his hands. “Butterflies? That’s asinine.”
“She’s hoping we can catch enough to replace the ones that got away.” I let my gaze linger on Trent, Mitchell, and Lucas. Davis was probably still in bed, and Abby had already left for school.
“I can’t help, I’ve got to open the store,” Trent said.
Lucas shook his head. “My shift starts at nine and Mom’s watching Mags.”
I took in a slow breath through my nose as I eyed Mitchell.
“Dad needs me to take a look at some equipment if we want to be able to harvest the pecans we’ve got left.” Mitchell lifted a shoulder. “Sorry.”
“I’ll help.” Delilah peered up at me, her eyes shining bright, the bruise on her cheek faded to a light purple.
