“The oil guy?”
I nodded.
“Everyone in Texas knows who the Munyons are. What’s he got to do with penguins?”
I cleared my throat but before I could get to the heart of the problem, the intercom on Lacey’s desk buzzed.
“Mayor Cherish, you’ve got Cyrus Beasley on line one. He has a few questions about an upcoming wedding.”
“Thanks, Chelsea. Tell him I’ll be with him in just a moment.” She disconnected, then leveled her gaze at me. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to take that call. Our local newspaper photographer’s trying to convince me to let him do all of the wedding pictures at the Phillips House. Can you tell me real quick exactly how I can help you today?”
“I need a place to rehome some penguins. Just for a few months. And Munyon wants somewhere to host his daughter’s wedding.”
Lacey shook her head.
“Her winter wonderland wedding.” I paused. “With the penguins.”
A peal of laughter tumbled from Lacey’s lips before she clamped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, did you say she wants a wedding with penguins in it? We’re talking about live birds, right?”
I nodded.
“The birds who live where there’s ice and snow?”
I nodded again. I was starting to feel like a bobblehead doll.
“In Texas?” She pushed back from the desk and stood. “I mean, I’ve fielded some odd requests since we started this venture, but this takes it to a whole new level.”
“I know, it’s strange.” I got to my feet. “Caught me off guard, too, when I first heard it. But he’s offering a ton of money to make this happen. I was thinking, if you’re not using the warehouse for anything, maybe I can create a temporary habitat for them there.”
“For the penguins?”
When she said it out loud it sounded even worse than when I’d first heard the idea over the phone.
“It’s an odd request?—”
“Oh, you have no idea what kind of requests I’ve had. I had two trapeze artists who wanted me to rig a whole circus setup so they could get married in the air, then I had a guy who makes swords call and ask if I could set up an entire Viking encampment for his wedding, complete with a forge.”
“Really? So penguins aren’t so off the wall then.”
“No, it’s bizarre.” Lacey rounded the desk and perched on the edge. “I’ve never had anyone ask me to turn my warehouse into living quarters for marine life before.”
“It would just be for a couple of months. And he’s willing to pay.”
“How much are we talking about?”
“Name your price.” I shrugged. I’d been given the authority to negotiate with Lacey when I agreed to take the job. Munyon didn’t care what it cost, he just wanted his daughter to be happy.
“Five grand.”
“No problem.”
“Seriously? To use my empty warehouse for a couple of months?”
“Actually, I may need it for three or four. The wedding isn’t until August. You know, winter wonderland with the penguins and all that. But for five grand a month, I think that’s fair.”
“A month?” Lacey’s jaw dropped open. “You’re going to pay me five grand a month to house some penguins?”
“Yeah.” I finally allowed myself a smile since it seemed like things were going to work out. “He’ll cover all the costs to create the habitat and then return the warehouse to its original state when we’re done.”
