A Promise of Thunder

assuming all was not well with the newlyweds, and she slyly planned other ways to drive a wedge between husband and wife. If for some reason Thunder didn’t want to divorce his wife according to white law, they could return to the reservation. It was where Thunder and Little Buffalo belonged anyway. Despite his white blood, Thunder was the bravest, fiercest warrior she had ever known.
    After her sister’s brutal accident Laughing Brook had assumed she’d take Summer Sky’s place in Thunder’s heart. She already had the love of Thunder’s son, so it was only natural that Thunder should love her too. The marriagemust already be in desperate straits or Thunder would be sleeping beside his wife, demanding his rights, Laughing Brook reasoned. A sly smile curved her lips, thinking that half the battle for Thunder’s affection was already won.
    Early the next day, Grady went to town and returned with lumber and seed. Since planting could wait a few more weeks, he began building the extra room immediately. Meanwhile Storm set about winning over Little Buffalo. It didn’t help any when Storm suggested that they begin calling the boy by his white name. Little Buffalo was adamantly opposed to the change, as was Laughing Brook, but Grady had the last word and henceforth Little Buffalo was to answer to the name Tim. Storm also gave the boy a haircut, and earned another slice of Tim’s contempt.
    Tim’s animosity, Laughing Brook’s jealousy, Grady’s smoldering passion, and the crowded cabin made for a volatile combination. The looks Grady sent Storm were hot enough to fry eggs, while Laughing Brook literally threw herself at the handsome half-breed, blatantly offering Grady what Storm refused to give him. While the bedroom was being built, sleeping arrangements remained the same as on the first night. Each night Laughing Brook crawled into bed beside Storm while Grady shared the pallet with Tim. But one night the arrangement differed slightly.
    Tim woke up from a nightmare and cried out for Laughing Brook. The Indian girl tookthe boy into bed with her and Storm in order to comfort him. At length he fell asleep between Storm and Laughing Brook, seemingly appeased. Storm drifted off to sleep a few minutes later. She was sleeping soundly when Laughing Brook quietly left the bed.
    Grady was stung that his son preferred Laughing Brook to his own father. But what could he expect? he chided himself, when he had virtually abandoned the boy to Laughing Brook’s care while he rode with renegades, seeking revenge for Summer Sky’s death. Sighing regretfully, he closed his eyes, trying to forget how desperately he wanted to make love to Storm.
    When he first felt the warm body snuggling against him, he merely thought Tim had crawled back into bed with him. The thought pleased him and he gathered the warm body in his arms. His hand closed over a soft breast, and before he could draw it away, a much smaller hand pressed it tightly against the swelling mound. Grady felt the nipple pucker and harden against his palm, and for a brief moment he was too mesmerized to move. Then his hand was drawn between her legs to the moistness of her woman’s flesh and the breath left his chest in a soft explosion of air.
    “Storm … Oh, God, lady, I hope I’m not dreaming.”
    “Do you think Storm is the only woman who can make you pant with desire?” Laughing Brook laughed into his ear. Boldly she moldedher fingers around his throbbing erection. “You are magnificent, Thunder, just as I always knew you’d be. I ache for you. Let me ease your body. Let me give you comfort.”
    Tim’s restless tossing and flailing limbs brought Storm instantly awake. He had inadvertently jabbed her in the ribs, and she awoke with a grunt of pain. She became aware that Laughing Brook had left the bed when she raised up to suggest that the Indian maiden carry Tim back to the pallet with his father. It was much too dark in the cabin to see where Laughing Brook had gone, but the agonized groan coming from the opposite side of the room told Storm exactly what Laughing Brook was up to. Obviously Laughing Brook and Grady were deep in the throes of passion.
    Tears flooded her eyes and she felt a crushing weight squeezing the breath from her. She must have been naive to think Grady had brought the beautiful squaw home with him for his son’s sake. He should have been truthful and told her Laughing Brook was here for his pleasure—the kind of pleasure Storm had