A Promise of Thunder

husband, my dear. Especially if you expect to remain on your homestead.”
    “Contrary to your belief, I’m quite capable, Nat. I’ll manage just fine on my own.”
    Turner knew when to retreat. The last thing he wanted was to incur Storm’s anger. “I’m sure you will, Storm. Meanwhile, do you have enough money to get by until your land starts producing?”
    Storm thought back to her recent conversation with the banker. Building her cabin and digging the well had cost far more than she had originally anticipated. After purchasing provisions to last the winter, she barely had enough cash left to purchase the cattle she’d ordered. The news had shocked her, but she remained undaunted. Somehow she would persevere.
    “I’ll get by.” Her grim expression gave Turner the distinct impression that Storm
would
succeed, unless he took matters into his own hands.
    “Enough of this talk, Storm. What I really came for is to invite you to a barn dance Saturday night. How long has it been since you’ve enjoyed yourself at a social affair?”
    “A barn dance?” Storm’s face flushed with pleasure. She recalled how much she and Buddy used to enjoy dancing. “It sounds won—” Her words ground to a halt. “Oh, I don’t think I should.”
    “Of course you should,” Turner contradicted smoothly. “You’re still a young woman. You deserve a little pleasure in your life.”
    “What will people say? My husband has been dead less than two months.”
    “Who cares what they say? No one can take his memory away from you. I’m sure your young husband would be the first to urge you to accept my invitation.”
    His arguments made sense to Storm. Buddy would have hated to see her sitting home and grieving. He’d want her to enjoy herself. “You’ve convinced me, Nat. I’ll be happy to attend the barn dance with you.”
    Turner grinned delightedly. “I knew you were too sensible to remain a recluse when life beckons. I’ll pick you up at five o’clock Saturday evening. Don’t disappoint me.”
    “I won’t,” Storm promised, already looking forward to a pleasant evening in Nat’s company.
    Nat left soon afterward. Storm stood in the doorway, waving good-bye as he rode away.
    “That wasn’t very smart, lady.”
    “Oh!” Whirling on her heel, Storm glared murderously at Grady. He had emerged like a wraith from the shadowy side of the cabin and stood just a few feet behind her. “Why are you spying on me? Do you always sneak around like that? I’ve never known anyone who can move as stealthily as you.”
    “I told you before I was trained to move without being heard or seen. As for spying, I wasmerely keeping an eye on you.”
    “How did you know Nat was here? I’m beginning to believe you actually do possess some mystical power no one is aware of.”
    He gave her a smile that completely disarmed her. “There is nothing mystical about using one’s eyes and ears. I was removing a stump from my land when I saw Turner riding by. It didn’t take long to guess where he was going. I thought I’d follow and see what he was up to.”
    “Since you obviously overheard our conversation, you know that Nat was ‘up’ to nothing more dangerous than inviting me to a barn dance.”
    “It was unwise of you to accept,” Grady repeated with cool authority. “Nat Turner is a scoundrel who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Obviously he wants your land.”
    “Are you saying Nat isn’t interested in me as a woman? That he finds nothing desirable about me but my land?” Storm asked in a voice as reasonable as she could manage under the circumstances.
    “No, lady, I’d be a fool to say that,” he replied in an odd yet gentle tone.
    Unable to withstand the intense heat of his gaze, Storm turned to enter the house, fully intending to slam the door in Grady’s face. “Good day, Mr. Stryker.”
    “Storm, wait.”
    “I have nothing more to say to you.”
    “You could quit lying to yourself and admit you felt something special when we made love the other night.”
    “I’d be lying if I admitted you moved me in any way except to fill me with contempt.” Abruptly she turned and slammed the door in his face. His curses left a trail of blue as he stormed around to the back of the cabin, where he had left his horse. She watched from the window as he rode away, wondering if she’d ever see him again and asking herself why she even cared.
    Nat arrived promptly at five o’clock Saturday night, driving a