A Promise of Thunder

have so much to talk about, Grady, so many wasted years to make up for.”
    “And I’ve much to atone for, Mother. I hope you and Dad can forgive me for hurting you. My life these past six years has been a far cry from what you and Dad wanted for me. If youknew how I conducted my life, you’d order me from your house at once.”
    “I doubt that,” Shannon said succinctly. “We’ll talk later. Go to your Storm.”
    When Storm had first fled to her room her tears were those of pity, hurt, and shock. But her tears had ceased and her self-pity had changed to raging anger. How dare Grady flaunt his mistress before his parents? Had he no respect for the wonderful couple whom she had grown to love? Rising from bed, she began to pace.
    When Grady opened the door and stepped into the room Storm whirled to face him, her cheeks blazing, her eyes glowing like twin flames. Her expression was so hostile, Grady recoiled in shock. But that didn’t stop him from admiring her. Storm looked absolutely magnificent. Not at all like a wife who had been pining for her husband. He snorted derisively. Why would Storm miss him when it had been her choice to leave him?
    He opened his mouth to spit out a scathing retort, but what came out was the complete opposite of what he intended. “I’ve never seen you looking more beautiful.” Where did that come from? he wondered distractedly.
    Storm bristled indignantly. “I know you didn’t come here for my sake, so there’s no need for pretty words. You have some nerve bringing your mistress with you. Have you no feelings at all for your parents?”
    Her words sliced cleanly through his confusion, bringing him to a rigid state of awareness. “I had no idea you were here. Mother told me you were with Jumping Buffalo and the People. She explained why you went to the reservation and I’m grateful for what you did for Sweet Grass, but that doesn’t excuse you for abandoning me when I needed you.”
    “My note explained everything,” Storm said succinctly.
    “I saw no note.”
    Storm made a derisive sound deep in her throat. “I placed it in plain sight. How could you not have seen it?”
    “Let’s forget the note for a moment. Let’s discuss the fact that you left without so much as a good-bye.”
    “I told you I would leave if you met Bull that day. It was something I had to do. Living with violence and fear would kill my lo—would make staying with you a virtual hell on earth. I’d never know when someone would sneak up behind you and challenge you. Or blow you to kingdom come without warning.”
    “You could have trusted me. I told you I was finished with violence. Taking on Bull was something I had to do for Summer Sky and my own peace of mind.”
    “You told me to leave. You said you didn’t want me.”
    “I what?” He was beside her in two steps, grasping her shoulders, giving her a little shake. “I said no such thing. I begged you not to leave.When I came to my senses Laughing Brook told me you had already left. Even Tim begged you to stay.”
    “I heard you, Grady. I distinctly heard you say you didn’t want me. You told me to go away.”
    “I realize I wasn’t in full control of my mind, but I certainly don’t recall saying that. In fact, just the opposite is true.”
    “I thought you hated me for not being the kind of wife you wanted. I just wanted you to understand that I couldn’t live with a man who openly courts danger and violence.
    “I did understand, but facing Bull was something I had to do. I had hoped
you
would understand
my
need.”
    “Then we’re still at an impasse,” Storm said bitterly. “If you cared for me, why didn’t you come to the reservation? My note told you exactly where to find me.”
    “I told you before, I saw no note. I suspect Laughing Brook made sure I never saw it.”
    “Laughing Brook,” Storm repeated with scathing sarcasm. “Why did you bring your mistress here?”
    Grady sighed in exasperation as he explained with commendable patience, “Laughing Brook never was my mistress. She’s like a little sister to me. I’d never bed her.”
    “But …”
    “Laughing Brook was born on the ranch. It was her home until her father took her away six years ago. She loved my parents and expresseda wish to see them again before returning to the reservation. You’ve been to the reservation. You’ve seen how difficult life is for the People. Can you blame her for wanting to visit Peaceful Valley?”
    “Are you denying