Read Portlandtown: A Tale of the Oregon Wyldes for Free Online

sure it’ll start raining again soon. It always does.”
    Kate slipped around the marshal to her husband. “And how was your trip?” Before Joseph could answer, Kate kissed him on the cheek, her lips lingering next to his before she pulled away. The scent of lilacs was overpowering.
    “Fine,” Joseph said.
    Kate knew every practiced expression at Joseph’s disposal and was pleased to see a look of genuine befuddlement on his face. She’d managed to greet her father without starting an argument and to remind her husband of exactly how much he loved her. That left only the twins.
    “Hello, Kick,” she said, as the boy materialized by her side.
    “I almost found you.”
    “Really?”
    “I was very close,” Kick said, grasping his mother’s left hand. “I think the sun got in my eyes.”
    “The sun set ten minutes ago,” said Maddie, taking her mother’s other hand.
    “That’s true,” said Kate. “But I believe it was still visible above the hill when the boat came in.”
    “It was!” said Kick. “Ha!”
    Kate gave Maddie a smile, which she returned.
    Joseph would have liked to let the moment linger, but the mayor was practically coughing up a lung, trying to make his presence known.
    “Mayor Gates?”
    “Ah, Joseph! I was hoping to run into you today. Back from the coast, are you?”
    “Yes, that’s right. Good to see you. And may I introduce my father-in-law, James Kleberg.”
    “Jim Gates,” the mayor said, vigorously shaking the marshal’s hand. “Marshal Kleberg, it is an honor to be in your presence. Welcome to Portlandtown.”
    “Portland town ?”
    “So says the city charter. Fallen out of fashion, I’m afraid. Apparently, local sign makers can’t be bothered with so many letters!”
    “Oh.”
    “I do hope you’ll find our fair city to your liking. It’s not as rough and tumble as you’re used to, but we do have our fair share of skullduggery now and again.”
    “I’m retired. Don’t see too many skulls these days.”
    Joseph felt Kate’s grip tighten slightly on his hand.
    “Of course not!” said the mayor. “But certainly you saw your share of action as a United States marshal, am I right?”
    “I suppose.”
    “Come now, Marshal Kleberg, there’s no need to be modest. You’re a hero of the West. Without men like yourself—and Joseph, of course—we’d never have had the will to build this beautiful city.”
    The marshal didn’t blush, but Joseph sensed his discomfort.
    “I appreciate the kind words, but that was a long time ago,” said the marshal. “Don’t think this city needs my help, ’cept maybe to lay a few sandbags.”
    “Yes, you’ve caught us with our boots wet,” said the mayor. “But things are drying out—too soon, if you ask me.”
    “How’s that?”
    “Well, it’s all this sun! I’m afraid it’s going to upend our plans for the festival next week.”
    “It’s the Rain Festival,” said Kate. “I told you about that, remember?”
    The marshal nodded a little too quickly.
    “Oh, it’s great fun,” said the mayor. “Folks come from miles around just to stand out in the Oregon rain.”
    “Waist-deep by the looks of it,” said the marshal. Kick laughed, earning a smile from his grandfather.
    “One can only hope,” said the mayor, not at all sarcastically. “Of course, we also like to showcase other things that elevate our state, including our citizens. I daresay a notable figure such as you would make a fine addition to the celebration. Folks always enjoy meeting their historical heroes.”
    The marshal shot a look at Joseph. “Do they, now?”
    “Absolutely! Your mere presence would be enough to draw a crowd, but perhaps you could also offer a demonstration of that legendary marksmanship.”
    A gunshot rang out in the marshal’s memory, the last he’d ever taken. It was gone by the time he found his voice again.
    “It’s been a long time,” he said. “Doubt I could hit the river from the backside of that