The Emperor's New Clothes Read Free Page B

have a mayor to be respectable,” Anna Rose said.
    â€œI don’t want to be mayor,” Tye said through gritted teeth. “You said it yourself. My uncle’s always pretty much run things. Why change?”
    â€œJack agrees with us,” Randolph said firmly.
    â€œWe need you, son.” Sam smiled in a matter-of-fact manner.
    Tye stared at the gathering. He’d known these people his entire life. He also knew that if this was what hisuncle wished, he could struggle all he wanted but it would be a waste of time.
    Big Jack was a powerful force in this part of the territory, and he’d never arbitrarily impose his will on his nephew. But Tye knew that his uncle—and his aunt too, for that matter—would work on him with the dedication of a dog worrying a bone, the same way they’d worn down his resistance to going off to school, and in the end he’d throw up his hands in defeat. Tye had a will of iron, but no one could beat the combined efforts of Jack and Lorelie Matthews. And they were his soft spot. It was almost easier to give in now and accept the inevitable.
    Tye leaned back in his chair and considered his options. There weren’t any. Well, hell, how bad could it be anyway?
    He heaved a defeated sigh. “What exactly would I have to do?”
    Sam grinned broadly.
    Randolph smiled benevolently.
    The ladies twittered.
    And Joe emitted a grunt that might have passed for approval.
    â€œThere’s any number of things this community needs to start working on,” Maize said.
    â€œBut that’s in the future,” Randolph added quickly. “For now, we just need you to represent the town at official civic functions.”
    â€œAnd present the key to the city to distinguished visitors.” Excitement colored Henrietta’s voice.
    â€œWhat key?” Tye laughed. “What distinguished visitors? Just who do you think is coming to Dead End?”
    â€œEmpire City,” Maize corrected.
    â€œWell…” Randolph began, and Tye narrowed his eyes in curiosity.
    â€œWell…” Randolph repeated.
    â€œYou said that,” Tye snapped. He studied the older man. What was going on now?
    Henrietta sighed with exasperation. “For heaven’s sake, Randolph, just tell him. I don’t know why you don’t say it outright.” She turned to Tye with sparkling eyes. “It’s quite the most delightful thing that’s ever happened to Dead End.”
    â€œEmpire City,” Sam amended.
    â€œWhat is?” Tye’s tone was cautious.
    â€œRoyalty, Tyler.” Maize flushed with excitement. “A real live English countess is coming here. To Dead End.”
    â€œEmpire City,” Tye said absently, his mind struggling with the absurdity of her statement. “Why would a countess be coming here?”
    Randolph grinned. “She’s touring the West. We got a letter a month or so ago asking about accommodations in Dead End.” Pride puffed out the banker’s chest. “It seems someone in her party heard about the beauty of the territory and she wanted to see for herself.”
    â€œThe hotel really isn’t up to royal standards, so they’re going to stay at Big Jack’s place,” Maize said.
    â€œI got rooms,” Joe muttered.
    â€œHah.” Maize cast him a lethal glance. “No respectable human being, let alone an English countess, would consider setting one foot into that…that…that brothel of yours.”
    â€œIt’s not a brothel,” Joe said loftily. “It’s a saloon.”
    Maize snorted her disbelief. “And I suppose those girls of yours are all waitresses?”
    Joe narrowed his eyes in an unspoken threat. “My girls are—”
    â€œStop it now, both of you.” Sam cast them a stern glance.
    Tye sighed to himself. The public debate about the actual duties of Joe and Anna Rose’s girls was nothingnew. But privately, everyone