He did now.
“Yes.”
The county agent looked toward the courthouse.
“Then you'd better come inside.”
The judge had objections.
Many.
A thirty-nine-year-old unmarried rancher.
Nine children.
No female household staff.
No established guardianship history.
A ranch twelve miles from school.
Winter approaching.
The judge sat behind a large oak desk and looked at the rancher as if deciding whether courage and stupidity had arrived wearing the same muddy coat.
“You understand temporary placement can be revoked.”
“Yes.”
“You understand the county will inspect the property.”
“Yes.”
“You understand kinship with one child does not give you automatic authority over the other eight.”
“Yes.”
“You understand feeding cattle is not the same as feeding children.”
“Yes.”
The judge leaned back.
“Why are you doing this?”
The rancher looked toward the nine children waiting outside the chamber.
He could have said because the toddler was his niece.
But that answer had arrived too late.
So he told the truth.
“Because I saw them before I knew she was mine.”
The judge studied him.
“That isn't enough.”
“No.”
“What happens when ranch work becomes difficult?”
“It already is.”
“When one becomes sick?”
“I fetch the doctor.”
“When three become sick?”
“I fetch him faster.”
The judge's mouth almost moved.
Almost.
“And what happens when they fight?”
The rancher paused.
“I suppose I'll learn.”
The judge looked unimpressed.
“At least that's honest.”
The county agent stood near the wall.
He spoke carefully.
“There is another matter.”
The judge looked toward him.
“What?”
“The widow's estate.”
The rancher turned.
The agent held another file.
The widow who raised the children had left almost no money.
But she had left instructions.
Her little house could be sold.
The proceeds were supposed to remain in trust for the nine children as a group.
Not divided unless absolutely necessary.
The judge frowned.
“As a group?”
“Yes.”
“She considered them siblings.”
The rancher looked toward the door.
So did they.
The judge tapped one finger on the desk.
“Forty-eight hours.”