Travis Gives a Leg Up

Travis and Kyle left Richie’s office and went over to the Tavern. Andy had just brought a tray of clean pint glasses out and served them a beer.

"Don’t believe I’ve seen you blokes around before?" Andy said setting up the glasses.

"First time we’ve been in town, I’m Travis McGee and this is Kyle Corvin."

"Oh all right you’re the new owner of the Glenridge Station, I’m Andy Anderson," they shook hands over the bar, "welcome to town then." He said with a smile. Looking around them at Johnny, "need anything mate?"

"A beer Andy," Johnny said. This was the first day he’d made it down the stairs and to the tavern after breaking his ankle. He was enjoying being out of the bed.

"Better watch it Johnny, you have to make it back up you know." Andy said pulling another pint for him.

"That’s Johnny Ryan, bloke broke his ankle falling down the stairs here, first time I’ve seen him downstairs."

Travis turned, "How’s that ankle coming along?" he asked

"It’s coming…just got the hard cast on this morning. Thanks Andy." Andy placed the pint on the table. "A couple of beers is not going to cause me any trouble," he said.

"You blokes want a menu?" he asked finishing putting the glasses away.

"I think we’ll wait a bit, my lady is supposed to meet us here," Travis smiled. He liked saying that it made him feel good. In fact his lady was on her way now.

Jan spent the time while Travis was at the solicitors walking up and down the street dipping into the shops and had made a few purchases. She was enjoying herself the town was quaint and lovely she thought.

"Ah there you are, what did you find to buy Jan?" Travis asked taking her bags and stowing them under the bar stool.

"Hello darling, lots of things you might be surprised. There’s a great little bakery on the corner where I found those muffins you like, and a department store…that was fun Travis I didn’t know those kind of stores still existed…I got some books for Tee."

Travis met her eyes once she removed her sunglasses, "thanks for thinking of him."

"How could I not he’s part of you." She gave him a quick kiss and sat down on the bar stool."

Settling on her stool she saw Johnny’s reflection in the mirror and turned, "oh what happened to you?"

Johnny turned blushed a little, "I uh fell down the steps."

"I’m sorry must be awfully painful?" she sympathized.

"Not so bad now, just kinda messed everything up for me." he took a drink from his glass.

"I know how that can be," she smiled and turned to Andy who was waiting to see what she was drinking. "Oh I think just an orange…it’s a little early for me."

Andy quietly said, "he just got here poor bloke had a job things were just starting to happen for him, now he’s…"

Travis listened to Andy turned and walked over to Johnny’s table and sat down. "Mind if I join you for a moment?"

Johnny narrowed his eyes, "guess not Mr. McGee."

"Just call me Travis, I ain’t into formalities…what kind of work do you do Johnny?"

"Most anything…I grew up on a farm Mr…Travis and I had a job with a construction gang before the accident. I reckon I’ll be going back to the farm after I get my foot back to working. I can’t afford to stay here."

"Do you want to stay here?" asked Travis

"Yeah…I’d like to…first time I ever been out on my own…I fucked it up." Johnny looked down into his pint glass.

"When you get back on both feet…come see me…I can always use a good man." He smiled and held out his hand.

"Thank you Travis I will," Johnny smiled and shook his hand.

Jan watched the whole conversation in the mirror and when Travis came back to her sliding his arm around her waist she looked up at him and smiled, "You are the most…" he stopped her with a kiss.

"I’m just a bloke that doesn’t mind giving somebody else a leg up…as soon as he gets a leg," he grinned.