A Promise of Thunder

is in no position to make demands.”
    Blade wanted to shake his stubborn son until his teeth rattled. Grady reminded him of himself when he was that age. But thank God he had more good sense than his hotheaded son displayed. “Don’t be too hard on Storm, Grady. Do you love her?”
    “I—love is a strong emotion. After losing Summer Sky I didn’t think I was capable of loving again. Storm is Summer Sky’s complete opposite.
    “Either you love Storm or you don’t. If you don’t, then I see little hope for your marriage.”
    * * *
     
    Grady decided to occupy another room that night—and the night after that. He knew Storm was still angry, her feelings confused where he was concerned. He also knew that if he slept in the same bed with her nothing could keep him from making love to her. Blade’s words had been prophetic. Without love on both sides there was little hope for their marriage. Did Storm love him as much as he loved her or did Buddy’s ghost intrude upon their happiness? Did Storm love him enough to have his children?
    Grady knew that Laughing Brook had deliberately hidden Storm’s letter. Had she done other things to cause trouble? Why was he being so damn unreasonable about Laughing Brook? he wondered. He supposed he really should send her back to the reservation with one of his father’s men, but he had promised Jumping Buffalo he would bring his only surviving child safely back home when Tim no longer needed her. Why couldn’t Storm understand that his honor would be damaged if he failed to keep his word?
    Storm had much to think about during those days. Seeing Grady again, making love with him, had proved indisputably that she couldn’t live without him. Besides, she knew now that Grady was telling the truth about the letter she wrote and left for him, that Laughing Brook had hidden it to keep him from following her. After careful thought she decided that he hada right to know she was carrying his child. Perhaps she had misunderstood him when he told her to leave. He was still groggy from surgery and could scarcely speak coherently.
    But now that she was prepared to tell Grady about the baby and admit that a misunderstanding had occurred, Grady seemed to be avoiding her. He must be using another bedroom in the sprawling house, she thought wistfully, for he certainly wasn’t sleeping with her.
    One day Shannon found Storm alone in the parlor, looking as if she’d lost her best friend. “Is something wrong, Storm?” Her concern gave Storm a warm feeling. She had come to care deeply for Blade and Shannon. “You’re not ill, are you?”
    Storm shook her head. “No, not ill, just confused. Grady and I seem to be growing farther apart. When he isn’t avoiding me he is out with Blade somewhere on your endless acres. I haven’t had a conversation with him since—since the day he arrived.”
    “I take it, then, that you haven’t told him about the baby.”
    “No, but I intended to before he made himself scarce. I don’t think he wants me anymore. I’m not even sure he ever did.”
    Shannon smiled warmly. “Believe me, dear, Grady wants you. I’m his mother and I should know. Expectant mothers often feel neglected. Are you still ill in the mornings?”
    “No, that passed before Grady arrived.”
    “Would you like to help me in the kitchentoday? I thought I’d make Grady’s favorite meal and Tim’s favorite dessert.”
    “I’d love to.” They went off arm in arm, unaware of Laughing Brook, who stood out of sight in the passageway between kitchen and parlor. She had arrived just in time to hear Shannon’s words about Storm being an expectant mother.
    Seething angrily, Laughing Brook stormed from the house. She saw Grady entering the stable and hurried after him. She had to know exactly how he felt about becoming a father again. Knowing Grady as she did, she assumed he would be pleased, but she wanted to hear for herself that he and Storm had reconciled. If he wasn’t pleased about the coming child, then there was still hope for her.
    Grady was at the end of his tether. He was ready to shout to the world that he loved Storm, but he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it. For the past several days he had all but ignored her, allowing her time to sort through her feelings. The simple truth was that he loved Storm and couldn’t live without her. He intended to do all in his power to make her love him as much as she had loved Buddy. He was so engrossed in his thoughts, he