Why do you think Elma refused to follow Oliver and Nan to Warm Springs?

Why do you think Elma refused to follow Oliver and Nan to Warm Springs, deciding instead to return to the farm?

Elma was uncomfortable with emotional transparency. Being in the presence of so many people with limitations would have been a reminder of her own limitations and Elma would have been confronted with truths she didn’t want to face.

Elma was the sort of person to want to face up to a problem and take direct action to the extent that she had any power to do that, as a woman. She didn't want to waste time and money at Warm Springs or try to relax instead of confronting the problems with her father. She wanted to seize the opportunity to go back to the farm -- with Nan safely out of the picture -- to protect him by speaking with Sterling and dissuading him from murder, for Nan's sake as much as his own or Juke's. She was skeptical of Parthenia's comment that it was her job to do so, as a woman, but she still felt compelled to try. I think she also wanted a chance to sort out her relationship with her father -- perhaps to see if he would apologize or show any remorse for the horrible things he had done. She felt she needed to sort out her past in order to be emotionally ready to move forward into a future with Oliver.

I think she went to the farm to save her fathers life. I think she also wanted to stop Sterling from killing someone. I think she thought Sterling would regret doing it.

I think Elma went back to the farm because it was where she felt most comfortable. By going back to the farm she would have her father as her own, keeping him from Nan and keeping him from getting into more trouble if he was there alone.

Elma chose to go to the farm to protect her father whose life was in danger.

She back as it was her home and to protect her father.

I agree with JLPen77. She wouldn't of been able to relax there anyway with all the unsettled issues she needed to face dealing with her father.

The farm was home for Elma as it was a place of comfort. Returning to this haven would assure that she could protect her father and prevent Sterling from a rash act.

Elma felt she was needed back at home and with Oliver and Nan gone this was perfect timing.