A Promise of Thunder

didn’t hear Laughing Brook enter the stable. The crunch of her moccasins on the fresh hay was his first indication that he wasn’t alone. Laughing Brook touched his elbow and he whirled to face her.
    “Laughing Brook! What are you doing here? Are you looking for Soars-Like-An-Eagle?”Grady was aware of Soars-Like-An-Eagle’s tender feelings for Laughing Brook and wondered why the young brave wasn’t more forceful with her. She needed a strong hand to tame her.
    “It is you I wish to speak to, Thunder. We have not been alone since we reached Peaceful Valley.”
    Grady sucked in a quick breath. He sincerely hoped Laughing Brook wasn’t going to attempt another seduction. He was getting damn tired of it. “I’m busy, Laughing Brook. What is it you wanted?”
    Her eyes luminous, she clutched desperately at his arm. “I don’t want to go back to the reservation. I want to stay with you and Tim.”
    “That’s not possible,” Grady said. “There is room for only one woman in my house and that woman is Storm. She’s my wife.”
    Laughing Brook was growing desperate. “I will be your second wife.”
    “I only need one wife.” Perhaps if he repeated it often enough she would get the message.
    “Is it because Storm is carrying your child? Is that why you are willing to take her back?”
    Grady went still. “What did you say?”
    “Storm will give you weak children. I can give you strong children; sons and daughters like Little Buffalo, with the blood of the People flowing through their veins.”
    Grady gave her an exasperated shake. “What did you say about Storm? What makes you think she is carrying my child?”
    Laughing Brook saw her mistake instantly.She suddenly realized that Grady hadn’t been told about the child. He gripped her arms so tightly she winced, fearing he wouldn’t let her go until she answered his question.
    “Do you hear me, Laughing Brook? Who told you Storm was pregnant?”
    “I heard her talking with your mother,” Storm said with marked reluctance.
    “Are you certain? Absolutely certain?” His fingers bit cruelly into the soft flesh of her upper arms.
    “Yes! I know what I heard.”
    A string of curses spewed from Grady’s mouth. Without another word he flung her away and strode out the door. The taut set of jaw and brusque, jerky steps gave a hint of his great anger. Laughing Brook breathed a sigh of relief and sank down on a bale of hay when she realized that his anger wasn’t directed at her, as she had assumed.
    Laughing Brook started violently as Soars-Like-An-Eagle stepped from the shadows. “Why do you shame yourself with Thunder? Offering yourself to a man who does not want you brings you no honor.”
    “Where did you come from? Were you spying on me?”
    “I was not spying. My work often takes me to the stable.”
    “I suppose you heard everything.”
    “Enough to know that Thunder cannot be seduced. A fool can see that Thunder loves his wife. Why do you continue to badger him?When we are joined I will be the only man in your life.”
    “I will marry no one but Thunder.”
    “Storm carries his child.” A dull red crept up Laughing Brook’s face. “It is time you learned that I will be your husband. I have allowed you to have your own way in hope that you would get over your infatuation with Thunder. Your father has already given me permission to join with you. I will take you back to the reservation myself, where we will be joined according to the rites of the People.”
    “You spout foolishness,” Laughing Brook scoffed, turning away.
    Soar-Like-An-Eagle’s face grew dark as he swung her around to face him. “I speak the truth. You have been spoiled shamelessly by your family and need a strong hand to rule you. Swift Blade has offered me a permanent position on the ranch and I have accepted. He is pleased with my way with horses and my hard work. We will have a good life, Laughing Brook. Peaceful Valley is a healthy place in which to raise our children.”
    “I will have no children by you.”
    She peered timidly at Soars-Like-An-Eagle through a curtain of long sooty lashes. His forceful manner both surprised and thrilled her. It was true he was handsome, perhaps every bit as handsome as Thunder, but he had never been particularly aggressive or forceful before. Suddenly she saw him in a new light. Tall and solidly built, his hawkish features andhigh cheekbones bore evidence of his proud heritage. He was a fierce warrior even though he had