The Emperor's New Clothes Read Free Page A

a thousand legitimate excuses flew through his mind. “First of all, I haven’t been home for years.”
    â€œThat’s exactly why we want you,” Henrietta said eagerly. “You’ve spent all that time back East, going to school.”
    â€œYou got more book learning than anyone in the county,” Joe said grudgingly.
    â€œWhat about the schoolteacher? Mr. Robinson?” Tyler said, a note of triumph in his voice.
    Sam snorted. “No backbone.”
    Randolph shrugged. “No spirit.”
    Maize nodded. “And he’s not really one of us.”
    â€œOkay, but there must be someone else.” Tye searched his mind for another likely candidate. “What about Maize? She’s a respected member of the community and a good businesswoman besides.”
    â€œWhy, Tyler, how sweet.” Blotches of pale red blossomed on her face.
    Joe shook his head in disgust. “She’s a woman, Tye.”
    Tye winced at the look on Maize’s face.
    â€œWhat does that have to do with anything?” she snapped, the blush of embarrassment quickly turning into a flush of anger. “Need I remind you, Mr. Simmons, women have been voting in this state for nearly twenty years.”
    â€œDammed foolishness too,” Joe muttered.
    â€œNow, Maize.” Randolph’s tone was conciliatory. “No one is saying women aren’t qualified to handle a job like this.” A snicker erupted from Joe, and Randolph directed him a warning glare. “But we did all agree Tyler is the right person for this position.”
    â€œSorry, folks.” Tye rose to his feet and paced the short distance across the room. “I’ve been away from here for five long years. First, I wasted my time going to college, then traveling Europe, all at the insistence of my aunt and uncle.” He stopped, placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to ranch the land my folks left me. Now I’m back, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
    â€œBig Jack thought you’d be the right man for the job,” Sam said quietly.
    Tye groaned and sank back into his chair. If his uncle was behind this, Tye didn’t stand a chance. Big Jack and Aunt Lorelie had given him a home after his parents died when he was twelve. It was right after they’d lost their own child, and they’d treated him like a son. Which was exactly why, after years of fighting, he’d grudgingly given in to the idea of attending a snotty Eastern university. The grand tour of Europe after graduation was yet another part of his doting guardians’ plan for his life. And even though he was a grown man, he loved his aunt and uncle and was willing to set aside his own wishes for their happiness. But this latest proposal…
    â€œNo.” Tye shook his head vehemently. “I don’t get it anyway. Why this sudden desire for respectability and civilization?”
    â€œCan’t say I care one way or the other,” Joe mumbled.
    â€œWe’re heading into a new century. Miracles are being invented every day. The world itself is getting smaller,” Sam explained.
    Randolph bobbed his head in agreement. “Once people recognize the benefits to be found in our wide-open spaces, mark my words, the population of the West will boom. Why, in a year or two, Wyoming will even be a state.”
    Henrietta sniffed. “Just as good a state as any in the East.”
    Maize nodded eagerly. “We need to show residents of the big cities that civilization doesn’t stop at the Mississippi.”
    â€œWe want to attract new business and new people,” Randolph added.
    â€œIt’s a question of progress,” Sam said.
    â€œA matter of growth,” Henrietta said.
    â€œBusiness,” Maize added.
    â€œPride.” Randolph pounded the table with his fist. “And…respectability.”
    â€œAnd we got to