A Husband In Wyoming. Lynnette Kent

trying for control. “Sometimes they made the effort, but I wasn’t ready. Or I’d get kicked back to my mother, have to start taking care of her again. One couple didn’t have time—six kids in a two-bedroom house make for a lot of work. One couple was only in it for the check. And I was never in the same school long enough to get a teacher on my side.”

      When Dylan started to speak, she held up a hand. “I raised myself, reading stories that showed me how kids are supposed to grow up. Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Ann Martin and Madeleine L’Engle—I guess you could say they raised me. I grew up to be a writer because they showed me how to live. Libraries were my true home.”

      Pushing away from the door, she stalked down the aisle toward the front of the barn.

      “Jess, wait.”

      She stopped halfway but didn’t turn around. “I never saw ice cream made at home. Till tonight.” Shaking her head, she waved him away and stepped out into the night.