Travis’ Tavern (Findlay Farms #5)
1. Prologue Travis
Chapter 1
Prologue: Travis
“You think I should take another go at polishing the floors?” I step back and take in the sheen on the old oak boards. This tavern, with its wooden walls and scuffed floors, still polishes up like a gem.
“Damn Travis, I can see my reflection in them already. Why are you so worried anyway? This isn’t the first time the Tavern is going to be on TV.” My brother Trent shakes his head at me with a chuckle.
“Shut up, I’m not worried. But it is the 100th anniversary of Founders Day. That means something to me. So yes, I’m gonna polish these old floors as many times as I want. This day should mean something to you too.”
“I get it, I get it. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t give you a hard time.” Trent steps behind the bar and pours two drafts, sliding one over to me. “Let me finish up in here for you. That way you can worry about getting the prairies taken care of out back. You know they’re gonna have those cameras in every corner of this place.”
“Yeah, I’ll get to work out there. Thanks, man.”
I glance out through the windows. It’s an honor to be the owner of what’s become the home base for the Findlay community. My tavern is built on proper farmland with sprawling pastures full of wildflowers and massive oak trees with branches that beg to be sat under.
A lifetime ago when Mr. Marshall passed and I somehow acquired this place, I thought it could be a family home. I poured my heart and soul into renovating it only to end up pouring drinks here instead., I put my time into building the best damn honkey tonk in town. I’ve seen this place grow from a dilapidated shell that no one wanted to the buzzing hub it is now and at every stage in between.
Travis’ Tavern is my whole life and it’s a good thing too. I’ve got more than enough to take care of out here. I can’t imagine splitting my time between this palace and a family. Since Trent got married, he’s found a balance, but even though he and I are twins, we’ve always been different in that way. Truth is I missed my opportunity to have a family and I don’t deserve a second one.
But life’s funny that way, a family has gathered here anyway. These walls have seen weddings, reunions, and bar fights that would make your head spin. But for all these walls have seen, it’s nothing compared to what they’ve heard. Every piece of wood in here echoes the whispers of this town’s worst-kept secrets.
“Okay, I’m heading out.” I make my way into the back room and change my shoes in preparation for the mud I’m about to encounter. This clay soil ain’t for the faint of heart.
Trent steps into the backroom behind me, plopping a stack of mail onto the desk. “You’ve got to go through this mail more often. It’s a mess back here.
“I didn’t get into this business to do the paperwork,” I chuckle.
“At least get rid of the junk mail so you have a spot to put your beer.” Trent thumbs through the pile on the desktop tossing stacks of letters into the garbage. “Wait, what is this?” He holds up a letter in my direction.
“I’m not worried about that, probably junk mail.” The return address comes from a law office and my throat runs inexplicably dry. I shake my head.
Trent rips it open. “Dear Mr. Travis Luis. It’s come to our attention that you’ve built your establishment on land you do not own. After lengthy probate, the Findlay prairie property on which your tavern is located has been acquired by Mr. Marshall’s next of kin. On account of the generosity of the new owner, you are being given a full ninety days to vacate in lieu of immediate removal as granted by law. This letter shall hereby serve as your official notice to vacate on or before ninety days. At that time the new tenant is Charlie Marshall, Esq shall take ownership...”
“What in the hell does e-s-q mean?” My words come out in a stunned bark.
Trent shakes his head. “It means evidently a shitty quality person. This can’t be real. Travis this letter is dated three months ago. We’re already past the deadline. There’s got to be something we can do, we’ll find a lawyer and fight it…” He rambles on, pacing the room and saying all the things that are already flashing through my mind. “Can this be real? Do you have any paperwork that shows you are the owner? It seems crazy that we’d even have to justify it. Everyone knows this is your place. So this Charlie dude is going to show up and what? Change the locks? Bulldoze the land?”
A humorless chuckle rips from my lips. “He can show up if he wants, but I’d like to see him try and take this place.”