Free Finding Libbie by Deanna Lynn Sletten

her.”
    “Mother!” Libbie exclaimed, shocked that her mother was being so rude. She knew her mother didn’t approve of Jack, but she’d never heard her say such mean things about anyone before. At least not outright.
    “Abbie, please,” Randall said. “We don’t judge people by how they earn a living.”
    Abigail stared hard at her husband. Libbie recognized that glare. Her mother was about to fly off the handle. Libbie shrunk down into her chair. No one wanted to be in Abigail Wilkens’s path when she lost control.
    “Don’t you dare get on your high horse with me, Randall,” Abigail said in a low, menacing tone. “I don’t see you inviting your employees from the grocery store, hardware store, or any of our other businesses to come to our home and socialize with you. No, you socialize with people from our own class. I refuse to have our daughter becoming involved with a lowly gas station attendant.” Abigail turned her burning eyes on Libbie. “You are not to see this boy again, do you hear me? It’s over.” Abigail stood, threw her napkin on the table, and stormed out of the room.
    Baby Lynn, sensing the turmoil in the air, began crying. Gwen lifted her from her high chair and tried comforting her.
    Libbie’s body shook with fear as tears filled her eyes. She looked at her father for support, but it was useless. He only shook his head and shrugged. Libbie knew he couldn’t help her. He ran the businesses and controlled the money, but when it came to the family, her mother’s word was law.
    “I’m sorry, kitten,” he said softly. Then he stood and headed in the direction Abigail had gone.
    Libbie knew he was going to try to calm her mother down, but he’d be unable to change her mind.
    “It’s for the best,” Gwen said over baby Lynn’s head. “That boy would never be able to give you the life you’re used to, if it came to that. Be thankful that Mother sees what a mistake you two are before it’s too late.”
    Libbie narrowed her eyes at her sister. “You mean a mistake like getting pregnant and having to get married? You’re a good one to talk.”
    Gwen’s lips formed a thin line. “You spoiled little girl. You have no idea how difficult life can be when you don’t have money. And if you stay with that boy, you’ll always be poor. Is that what you want? To live on that farm for the rest of your life? He’ll never be anything more than he is now, so don’t throw my life back in my face. At least my husband earns enough money to support me properly.”
    Libbie stood so fast her chair fell back onto the floor with a thud. Lynn began to cry again. “There’s more warmth and love at that farm than all the money in the world can buy, so don’t you dare say another word against Jack or his family.” She turned and ran into the kitchen and up the back staircase to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
    Libbie dropped onto her bed and sobbed. They can’t make me stay away from Jack! They just can’t! She felt as if her whole world was caving in on her. Just last week, she’d been so blissfully happy, because of Jack. And now she felt trapped.
    I could run away and never come back here, she thought. But then what would she do for money? How would she live? She wouldn’t be eighteen until next April, so going out on her own would be difficult. And she’d have to give up so much if she did. But there was no way she was giving up Jack.
    Wiping her tears away, Libbie sat up and carefully picked up the phone in her room. No one was on the line, so she dialed the number at the farm. After the second ring, Jan answered.
    Libbie took a calming breath so she’d sound normal. “Hi, Jan. Can I talk to Jack?”
    “Sure. Just a minute,” Jan said. Libbie could hear Jan hollering to Jack that the phone was for him. Even in her sadness, it made her smile. She pictured Jack in his room, sitting on his twin bed, doing his homework. She could practically hear him running down the stairs to