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check it carefully before I leave. Even if I don’t find any clues we’ll increase our patrols out this way. You sure you didn’t hear any vehicles after you were knocked down?”
    â€œI was pretty out of it,” Mitch admitted, chagrined. He motioned to Jill and her little group. “Did any of you hear anything funny?”
    â€œI honestly wasn’t paying attention,” Jill said. “I was too worried about you.”
    â€œThanks.” He knew his cheeks were getting rosy because he could feel the increasing warmth. “Tim said he thought he saw another man besides the one who jumped me. Right, buddy?”
    The seven-year-old ducked his head. That shy response puzzled Mitch. Tim had sounded positive when they’d talked about it before, yet now he was barely acknowledging their conversation. In addition, he had taken up a defensive position behind Jill and had pulled his little brother with him. For kids who had chattered all during their hurried lunch, they were sure acting strange all of a sudden.
    Maybe it was a negative reaction to the police car, although Mitch could think of no reason for them to be afraid of Harlan. The bear of a man could be a little boisterous sometimes but he was also built a lot like a beardless, department-store Santa Claus. His persona was anything but threatening. Most children took to the sheriff immediately. Of course, considering the traumatic events of the past few days, Mitch supposed it was a wonder these poor kids were coping as well as they were.
    Cradled in Jill’s embrace, Megan was sucking her thumb and fighting sleep. Seeing the toddler with one little arm wrapped partway around Jill’s neck and her tousled head lying on Jill’s shoulder, Mitch suddenly felt so protective it floored him.
    While Harlan checked the barn, Mitch joined her and the children. “Looks like one of us has conked out.”
    â€œUh-huh. I’m not surprised. I was planning to bathe her before I put her down for a nap but I think I’ll just wait ’til tonight. She needs sleep more than she needs fussing over. As soon as she’s rested I want to take herand the boys into town and buy them a few things. They especially need shoes.”
    â€œI can take them,” Mitch offered.
    â€œSorry. Not legally you can’t. Now that they’ve been placed with me, the only people who can take them anywhere without me—or even babysit—are folks who’ve been court approved or are official foster parents, too.”
    Falling into step beside her as she headed back toward the house, he asked, “How hard is that to do? I mean, suppose I took the class or whatever else is required? Would I be able to help you out with them after that?”
    She shrugged. “I can’t see why not. I know that statistically there are never enough homes available for all the families in need. If you have Ms. Connors’s number, why not give her a call and ask about it?”
    â€œGood idea.”
    Mitch held the door for all to pass except the pair of farm dogs. He stepped into the doorway to block their entrance, pointed to the barn and commanded, “No. Go bother Harlan.”
    To his surprise and amusement they loped off as if they understood exactly what he wanted and were more than happy to obey. What would Jill think of that? he wondered. She was already teasing him about knowing where stuff was kept in the kitchen. Having her dogs listen to his orders would probably cause her to raise an eyebrow, that’s for sure. Too bad he didn’t have the same effect on her that he did on her pets. Lately, it seemed as if the more sensible advice he gave, the more likely she was to contradict or ignore it.
    Chuckling wryly, Mitch wandered through the kitchen and lingered in the living room, waiting for Jill to return from putting Megan down for her nap.
    Tim and Paul had already found a plastic bin of toys there and were down on their