A Promise of Thunder

for my claim, Nat, I’m keeping it. I know farming all my acres will prove a difficult task so I’m thinking of running cattle instead.”
    “Cattle! What do you know about ranching?”
    “About as much as I know about farming, but that isn’t going to stop me. I’ve already talked to someone in town about running cattle, and he’s promised to sell me a small herd come spring.”
    “You are one determined woman, Storm,” Nat said, shoving back his chair. “The lunch was delicious, but I really must be going. If you change your mind, you know where to reach me.”
    “I won’t change my mind. The flowers are lovely. It was thoughtful of you to bring them out.”
    Jamming his hat back on his head, Nat left the cabin. The disgruntled look on his face showed that he was far from pleased with the result of his visit. He had hoped that Widow Kennedy would be thoroughly disgusted by now with the hardships of pioneer life and eager to sell her claim. It was a good piece of land, ideal for grazing, and if he could get his hands on it he could turn a tidy profit. The grass was so lush that if she decided to run cattle instead of growing wheat, as so manyof the farmers planned to do, she would stand to make a fortune.
    “What are you doing here, Turner?”
    Turner was so engrossed in his devious plotting that he didn’t hear Grady ride up on Lightning.
    “I might ask you the same, Stryker. Or would you prefer I call you Thunder?”
    A half smile crossed Grady’s face, a smile that did not reach his eyes. “Stryker will do. You haven’t answered my question.”
    “Not that it concerns you, but I heard Storm’s cabin was finished and I brought her a housewarming gift.”
    “Storm?” he said with a significant lifting of his brows. “Since when have you been on a first-name basis with Mrs. Kennedy?”
    “Since we became friends.”
    “Keep away from her. She is better off without your kind.”
    “And leave her to yours?” Turner laughed nastily. “Not likely. Besides, I doubt Storm will want to stay here once she finds out how lonely the prairie can be for a woman without a man to protect her. When she’s ready to sell I’ll be here with money in my hand. I’ll make you the same offer, Stryker. Men like you don’t settle in one place for very long. Your land is even more desirable than Storm’s. Whenever you’re ready to move on, I’ll take it off your hands.”
    “I’ll sell my land, Turner …” Turner’s eyes grew round and his lips stretched into a triumphant smile, “ … when hell freezes over.”

Chapter Five
     
    “What was that all about?” Storm asked as she watched Nat ride off hell for leather. “What did you say to him?”
    Grady whipped around, unaware that Storm had stepped out the door to investigate. He paused for a moment in silent appreciation before answering. He hadn’t seen Storm in several days, and each time he saw her he was struck anew by her radiant beauty. Storm’s golden hair and fair complexion were a vivid contrast to the dark beauty Summer Sky had possessed. But where Summer Sky had been slim as a boy, Storm could be called voluptuous, with her high-pointed breasts, narrow waist, and gently curved hips.
    Storm fumed in mute affront while Grady’s eyes made a slow journey over her face andform. Why did he look at her like that? she wondered. He made her uncomfortable, staring at her as if he could gobble her up. Then, unaccountably, her own eyes made a quick tour over his tall, buckskin-clad form. Did he never wear clothes like normal men? The soft, supple deerhide clung to his frame like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination. He looked tough, lean, and sinewy; his well-muscled body moved with easy grace. He looked powerful and intimidating—and too tempting for her peace of mind.
    Suddenly she heard Grady chuckle. “See anything you like?”
    Annoyed at being caught blatantly admiring the half-breed scoundrel, Storm bristled indignantly. “I might ask you the same thing.”
    “I like everything I see.” His answer caught her by surprise.
    “Well I don’t,” she declared haughtily as she turned her eyes to stare past him. “Mr. Turner seemed in an all-fired hurry to leave.”
    “He didn’t take kindly to being told to keep away from you. When he offered for my land he went too damn far.”
    “Who appointed you my keeper? I told you before, I can take care of myself.”
    “For some damn reason I feel responsible for you,” Grady