As soon as the boy hopped out of the cart and moved to his side, Malachi set one hand on his head and the other on his shoulder. Couldn't keep him from hearing all of the nonsense the constable spewed, and he was fairly certain that he must have heard far worse, but he could at least keep him from being knocked around again.

"Problem solved," said Malachi, turning his polite smile to the constable. "Now, if you'll excuse us..."

His hand fell away from the boy's head, but the one at his shoulder gently pressed as he moved as if to follow after Ruth.