A Promise of Thunder

you,” Storm said.
    Grady took one look at her stubborn, jutting chin and sighed in exasperation. Though he was weary of Laughing Brook’s constant attempts at seduction, he was determined to resist Storm’s unreasonable jealousy and demands. He felt strongly that Storm should be the one to make amends, for she was the one who had left him, not the other way around.
    “When Tim and I leave Peaceful Valley both you and Laughing Brook will accompany us. We’ll travel by wagon this time. The trails are safe enough for overland travel and the weather at this time of the year is good.”
    Storm deliberately turned her back on Grady, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how hurt she was by his stubborn refusal to bow to her wishes.
    “How do I know you won’t meet someone along the way who’s out to prove he’s a better gunman than the infamous Renegade? What assurance do I have that a gunman isn’t waiting for you in Guthrie, itching to prove he’s a faster draw than you are?”
    “You have no assurance,” Grady said quietly. “Neither do I. You’ll just have to accept my word that I will only draw to defend myself. Look at me, Storm.” He turned her around to face him. “A man who refuses to defend himself winds up dead. What am I supposed to do when a man challenges me?”
    Storm stared at him for the space of a heartbeat, her eyes as bleak as her heart. “I don’t want to go through life wondering when someone from your past will show up and disrupt our lives. I deserve better. Your son deserves better.”
    “Sooner or later someone faster on the draw than I will emerge to take my place and I’ll be forgotten. Meanwhile, we go on as before, living our lives on our homestead with our children. You do want children, don’t you?”
    Storm hesitated, trying to decide whether she should tell Grady about the baby. She was silent so long, Grady thought she couldn’t bear the thought of having his child. Anger overrode his better judgment as he flung himself from the bed.
    “Perhaps Laughing Brook would like to have my child,” he flung out carelessly. “Most wives are overjoyed to bear their husband’s children.”
    Storm sucked in a scalding breath. “I’m not a brood mare. And furthermore, I’m not like other women.”
    “Damn you, Storm! Damn you to hell! Wouldn’t it be ironic if I just planted a baby in you? You’d have little to say in the matter if a baby was growing in you right now.” Suddenly a devious smile curved his lips and Storm shuddered at the coldness of the gesture. “If you
are
carrying my child, you’ll have to return with me to Oklahoma.”
    By the time Storm found her voice Grady had flung on his clothes and stormed from theroom. She lay there in silence, mulling over his words and what they implied. Since they had never talked about children, she had no idea how strongly he felt on the matter. Obviously he didn’t want Tim to be an only child. She knew Summer Sky had been pregnant with their second child when she was killed, but she certainly didn’t intend to breed year after year until she was a worn-out shell of a woman. Grady’s mother obviously hadn’t been overburdened with children, and Blade didn’t seem to mind.
    Grady went in search of his father immediately after he left Storm. When he had arrived earlier Blade had been out on the range. He found Blade in his study, waiting for him. When he entered the small room that smelled of leather and tobacco, poignant childhood memories came rushing back to him. He had spent many a happy hour with his father in this room, learning how to balance the ledgers and run the ranch. Blade stood up the moment Grady entered.
    Father and son started at one another, neither moving, each aware of the differences that separated them. Both men were tall, both thickly muscled and broad shouldered. Grady was as darkly handsome as Blade, possessing the same bronze skin, midnight black hair, and proud bearing. Of the two, Grady more closely resembled their Indian forebears, with his fierce expression and stark features. Blade was the first to speak.
    “Welcome home, son. I’ve waited a long time for this day.” He held out his arms in open welcome.
    Grady hesitated a moment, then rushed forward, returning his father’s bear hug and pounding him on the back. He was so choked with emotion all he could say was, “I’m sorry.”
    “We’ve missed you.”
    Grady held Blade at arm’s length, staring into his eyes.