Page 5 of Flights and Sights

A moment later, a burly guy with a beard and long-ish hair pulled into a ponytail stepped into view. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t know you were giving a tour.”

Paxton nodded and shoved his hands back in his pockets. “Yeah, Tommy, I’m giving a tour. This is Callum. Cal. He’s writing for…”

“Connection Monthly,” I said, sticking my hand out to shake Tommy’s. “Pax was just showing me around.”

Tommy nodded and shook my hand. “Good to meet you. Boss, there’s someone out front who wants to see you. Says she’s from the county planning commission or something.”

“Be right there,” he said. As Tommy walked away, Pax gave me an apologetic glance. “I’m going to…” He nodded in the direction of the taproom.

“Right, yeah. Of course. Lead the way.”

Chapter 3 - Paxton

There was a woman standing at the bar, not looking anything like our usual patrons. She was wearing a skirt suit and holding a thick leather portfolio. When she spotted me, she gave me a tight smile. “Mr. Lowell?”

I shook her hand and nodded. “You can call me Paxton, though. How can I help you?”

“I’m Barbara Traylor. I’m here from the planning commission. Do you have an office or somewhere we can speak more… privately?” She glanced around at Tommy and the few patrons in the taproom.

“Sure, right this way.” I led her past the door to the back room and down a short hallway. “Office is in here. You’re welcome to have a seat.”

She hummed and sat in one of the chairs facing my very messy desk, while I took my place behind the desk and made a futile attempt to tidy the papers that were sprawled everywhere.

“Sorry about the mess,” I murmured.

“Not a problem.” She placed her portfolio on the desk in front of her. “I just came to talk with you about a few things.”

“Sure, go for it.”

“I see here you’ve applied for expansion?” She pulled out the application I’d submitted just the day before.

“Yes, ma’am, I have. We’re hoping to add on to both the taproom and the production room, plus storage.”

“And you’ve secured financing for the expansion?”

“Well… no, not yet.”

“It’s just, well, we’ve received a competing proposal for the land you want to purchase.”

I frowned and pinched my lips together in a hard line, waiting for her to continue. When she didn’t elaborate, I prompted her. “What does that mean for us?”

“This competing proposal has already secured their funds. All they need is the green light from the county. Now, we’d like to accommodate you, we really would, but…” She shook her head a little. “My hands are tied.”

“Wait a second. I just submitted my proposal yesterday. You’re telling me we’re already being rejected?”

“They’ve got the funds.”

“Look, Mrs.…”

“Traylor.”

“Right, sorry. Mrs. Traylor. My family has owned this plot of land since the sixties. We’ve always been self-sufficient, supported the town, we’ve brought tourism and awards. I’ve been waiting for almost a decade for that lot next door to go up for sale. Now that it’s available, you’re telling me I can’t buy it?”

“I—”

“Who’s the other purchaser?”

“I can’t talk about that, Mr. Lowell. It’s confidential. Just as your application is.”