A Promise of Thunder

here?”
    “I couldn’t leave,” Shannon said, searching Grady’s face for a hint of what had happened upstairs. “I thought—that is—what if Storm needed me?”
    Grady smiled, placing an arm around his mother’s narrow shoulders. “I told you I wouldn’t hurt Storm. I love her too much to harm her.”
    Shannon clapped her hands together. “Oh, Grady, do you mean it? I was so worried. I know you were angry, but I feel certain Stormwould have told you about the baby soon. Are you happy? It’s time Tim had a brother or sister.”
    “Yes, Mother, I’m happy. And since you’ve waited you may as well know that Storm and I have settled our differences. We’ll be leaving soon, before travel becomes dangerous for her in her condition. I also have wheat fields waiting to be harvested and a farm to run.”
    “You know your father and I would love for you to stay on at Peaceful Valley.” Grady opened his mouth to speak. “No, don’t say anything. I know how you feel about your homestead. Blade and I felt the same about Peaceful Valley when we first settled here. As long as we keep in touch, I’ll be content.”
    “I’ll never shut you or Dad out of my life again,” Grady vowed sincerely. “And I want you to visit us when the baby is born. Storm will need you.”
    “I’ll be there, son, you can count on it.”
    Grady made plans for their departure. Though Storm would miss Shannon and Blade, she was ecstatic about returning to the homestead to await the birth of her child. The one discordant note was Laughing Brook. Storm still hated the thought of the beautiful Indian maiden traveling with them, even if it was for a short time. Fortunately that problem was resolved when Soars-Like-An-Eagle and Laughing Brook approached Grady two days before their departure.
    Soars-Like-An-Eagle’s handsome face wore a smug smile when he announced, “Laughing Brook will not join you when you leave Peaceful Valley.”
    Grady slanted him a startled look. “Of course she will. I’m taking her back to the reservation.”
    “No, you do not understand, Thunder. Laughing Brook is no longer your responsibility. It is my duty to see that she gets home safely.”
    Grady’s puzzled glance shifted to Laughing Brook, who stood slightly behind Soars-Like-An-Eagle, her eyes downcast. “What’s this all about, Laughing Brook? What is Soars-Like-An-Eagle talking about?”
    “Laughing Brook has promised to join with me,” Soars-Like-An-Eagle said before Laughing Brook could reply. “When we reach the reservation we will be joined according to the rites of the People. When I return to Peaceful Valley she will accompany me. Swift Blade has promised to hold my job for me until my return and has offered us the house Jumping Buffalo and Sweet Grass once occupied. I am most pleased with his generous offer.”
    “Well, I’ll be damned,” Grady said wonderingly. He speculated on what Soars-Like-An-Eagle had done to wrought such a change in Laughing Brook. Then he looked into Soars-Like-An-Eagle’s eyes and recognized the proud gleam of possession, and the mystery was solved. He would have advised Soars-Like-An-Eagle to bed the little hellion long ago if it meant getting heroff his back. “Is this what you want, Laughing Brook?”
    Laughing Brook looked up at Soars-Like-An-Eagle with a sensuality Grady had never noticed in her before. Her lids were heavy, her lips slightly swollen, her face flushed. Having been awakened to sexual pleasure, she couldn’t keep the look of contentment from her eyes or turn her gaze from the man who had satisfied her so completely. Since that first time in the stable they had made love as often as they dared, and each time was better than the last. Laughing Brook had no idea Soars-Like-An-Eagle was a man of such fire and passion. So masterful, so powerful a lover! Why hadn’t she noticed it before?
    “It is what I desire above all things, Thunder,” Laughing Brook said shyly.
    “Then so be it,” Grady said, relieved to be spared the burden of returning the girl to the reservation. “I trust Soars-Like-An-Eagle to return you home safely.”
    “I will guard her with my life.” Soars-Like-An-Eagle’s promise was pronounced with such passion Grady knew he had nothing to worry about. “She may already be with child.”
    If Soars-Like-An-Eagle’s words shocked Grady, he gave no sign of it. Despite all the problems the girl had caused him and Storm, Grady felt that Laughing Brook would make a