Shelter/Rescue Cat - Selection Suggestions Needed

We have recently 'lost' a cat to environmental conditions and are very sad. We don't know if he walked away to visit the neighbors cats (doubt it as he was the first up the tree/last down) or worse. We moved from the city to a small, rural area with surrounding woods. Nearest neighbors are 1/4 mile or so away. Everyone has outdoor cats, most are fixed and cared for. We have coyotes that snatch unsuspecting creatures in the area on occasion. We acquired a neighborhood cat before we moved that was left by previous owners to fend for himself. He likes the outdoors but is a 'people' cat, doesn't care for dogs(we have 4) and stays close to home. Our other rescue is/was a feral rescue as a kitten. He has never left and is always the first one out of the barn to greet us or visitors. Our yard is marginally fenced - keeps the dogs in, not necessarily coyotes out.

My remaining cat keeps desperately calling his friend. He is searching without any luck as are we. We'd like to adopt another cat, maybe 2 instead of going trick or treating (kiddos idea). We have a barn, warm, dry and safe for the cats. They are allowed into the garage but not the house as I've a kiddo with allergies. My kiddos like to pet, play with and cuddle the cats (gently). I have the opportunity to adopt through a no-kill facility one or more cats that are fixed, vaccinated and vetted before adoption. They have barn cats they recommend go in pairs to establish a colony and protect each other. They also have a variety of ages of singles. I am not set on anything specific, just what's best for them in our environment (woods, predators, kiddos, dogs, horses). My remaining cat is a male, about 2 years old.

Do we look for barn cats and adopt 2 hoping my 'Ranger' adapts and everyone gets along? Do we adopt an older cat that tolerates cuddles and will stay outdoors? Do we start with a younger cat/kitten and try to teach the wariness needed to survive? They do an intake interview and make recommendations so we're not totally on our own but I'd like some input from other 'cat' owned people.