Read Online Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen - Free Book Online

the truth. Try as he might—as any of them might—there were some things in the universe that were not within their sphere of influence. Death was one of those terrible events that defied human understanding. It seemed so random, so unfair, yet her pastor taught that God was sovereign. And loving.
    Jill felt a tear slide down her cheek and surreptitiously brushed it away so the children wouldn’t notice. There were times, like now, when she struggled to accept what had transpired. Good people had been murdered. Children had been orphaned. And Mitch…
    A tiny hand began to pat her arm. It was Megan. The lovely, doe-eyed, curly-haired child had sensed her unhappiness and was offering solace. As Jill had often noted in the past, her heavenly Father had sent someone to let her know she was His child and that she was loved.
    Rising, Jill lifted the little girl in her arms, carried her to the sink and rinsed the sticky orange cheese off her cheeks and her hands.
    â€œOkay, gang,” she said with forced lightheartedness, “Shall we go see what Uncle Mitch and the sheriff are up to? We can’t let them have all the fun with Salt and Pepper.”
    Tim frowned. “With what?”
    â€œSalt and Pepper. Those are the names of the dogs outside that jumped on Mitch,” Jill explained. “Theydon’t usually play so rough. I’ll tell them to be very careful and not knock you boys down.”
    â€œI ain’t scared,” Tim insisted, puffing out his thin chest. “I can take care of my brother and sister, too. I’m seven.”
    â€œI know you are. And I already appreciate how much you’ve helped me.” It thrilled her to see Tim beaming with pride. He was truly a “little man” in a child’s body, as were many firstborn or only children. They took charge and fulfilled adult expectations as well as they possibly could. It was their nature.
    It was her nature, too. Nobody survived abandonment and one foster home after another without becoming extremely self-reliant. For as long as she could remember she had felt as if she were standing alone against the whole world. And sometimes, like the day Eric had died, she’d felt that even God had forsaken her.
    That wasn’t true, of course. She knew in her deepest heart that God loved her. And now it was her duty to show that divine love to others; to demonstrate the same kind of unconditional acceptance and support that had brought her through all kinds of trials.
    Opening the back door and seeing the sheriff’s car made her shiver. There was little doubt that this current ordeal was far from over. She knew it and Mitch knew it. They didn’t have to discuss everything for her to be certain. She could read him like a beloved book and she strongly suspected that he could read her, too. That wasn’t all bad. It meant that whatever tests came, they would instinctively be able to face them together and triumph, just as they had when they’d rescued the children from their aunt—even though Mitch didn’t approve of her taking so much incentive.
    Would what lay ahead be even half as bad as what had already happened? Jill hoped and prayed that was not so. Because if it was, she and Mitch—and especially the innocents the good Lord had placed in her care—would be in terrible danger.

SIX
    M itch tensed when he saw Jill and the children approaching. The farm dogs were circling them in greeting while Mugsy did his best to keep from being stepped on by man or beast. Having those animals sticking so close was good. It meant they’d provide at least some protection; although the dumb dogs had jumped on him when he went down instead of chasing the guy who had decked him.
    The sheriff extended his hand and shook with Mitch to complete their exchange of information. “All right. If you remember any other details give me a holler. In the meantime, keep everybody out of the barn. I want to