"Everyone within the church wants all the children they have. Getting children from outside the church would mean we had to be involved with the government men and the elders avoided that at all costs. We lived as separate from the government as we could possibly manage - no city electricity, water, sewer, phones - only what we - they - were forced to have."

Nell's eyes widened at his suggestion and her laugh was harsh, without humor. "A woman with a second husband? Never. The men are in charge and they control all the women The elder who wanted me already had several wives and concubines, but he wanted more. Offered for me as soon as I was twelve. I told him no and just what I thought of him in church in front of God and everybody and then I ran out. Hid in the barn. John Ingram and his wife Leah found me there. She was sick and dying and because there were no children to care for her she suggested John marry someone independent and strong and young who might not mind never having kids. They offered and I accepted."

She was quiet. "Before he died, John married me legal - government legal - so he could leave me the house and the land. The church fought me for them, but I beat'em in court. So now they come after me directly. They've attacked me, trying to drag me physically back to the church, force me to marry who they say, even -" her voice choked up, "even killed my dogs. But so far I've held 'em off."