A Promise of Thunder

would be afraid to go into town for fear some drifter looking to make a name for himself would challenge Grady.
    Grady was up at dawn and gone from the house shortly afterward. When Storm heard the distinct sound of gunfire she knew Grady was practicing for tonight. Bull had been correct in assuming that Grady had lost some of his skill during the months he’d been inactive, Storm reflected, else he wouldn’t be out there right now practicing. The thought was not comforting.
    Grady didn’t return at noon, and Laughing Brook carried lunch to him. When she returned she marched up to Storm and asked, “Why are you doing this to him?” Her voice was ripe with condemnation.
    “I’m doing nothing that I’m aware of.”
    “You don’t deserve a man like Thunder. If you loved him you’d stand by him and support him. It’s what Summer Sky would have done. Thunder could do no wrong in my sister’s eyes.”
    “I am not Summer Sky, nor will I ever be. Grady knew that when we married. Had he wanted a replica of Summer Sky he would have married you.”
    Laughing Brook bristled with silent indignation. “Today may be the last day he walks the earth.”
    A terrible pain knifed through Storm. “I’m aware of that. I begged him not to do this, but he refused to listen to me.”
    “As well he should,” Laughing Brook said huffily. “My sister’s spirit will not rest until her death is avenged.”
    “You’re as bloodthirsty as Grady,” Storm said with disgust. “I can’t live with violence, not the kind Grady seems to enjoy, so I’ve decided to leave if he goes through with this madness.”
    Laughing Brook’s pleased smile told Storm exactly how the Indian maiden felt about that. “It will be for the best.”
    It was mid-afternoon before Grady returned to the house. His mouth was grim, his eyes bleak but determined. The tensing of his jaw betrayed his deeply troubled thoughts. He didn’t want to lose Storm, but he’d despise himself the rest of his life if he refused Bull’s challenge. His son would think him gutless and his own conscience would plague him until the day he died. Stripped of his pride, a man is no good to himself or to his family. Why couldn’t Storm realize that?
    Grady went directly to the bedroom, where he changed into his buckskins and strapped on his gunbelt. He adjusted the height carefully, then tied it down at his thigh. The last thing he did before he left the bedroom was write a will leaving everything to Storm with the condition that she would care for his son until he reached his majority. After her death the homestead would be Tim’s. He placed it on the nightstand where Storm would be most apt to find it and went in search of Tim. After patiently explaining to the lad what was happening and why, Grady looked for Storm. He found her in the garden, pulling weeds with such fierceness that clods of dirt were flying in every direction.
    “It’s time,” he said simply.
    Silence. A clod of dirt came hurtling his way and he sidestepped it neatly.
    “Will you be waiting for me?”
    She glared up at him. “Is there nothing I can say that will change your mind?”
    “You’ve already said it.”
    “Then I won’t be here when you return.”
    Grady frowned. “This is your home.”
    “I can’t live like this. If Bull doesn’t kill you, other men will come looking for you sooner or later.”
    “You’re not thinking clearly, Storm. After Bull there will be no others. I promise.”
    “Just like you promised before? Good-bye, Grady. I—I wish you luck.”
    “I’ll be back.” He stared at her, memorizing her features. His eyes lingered on her lips. Lord, he loved her lips! Their lush sweetness drove him wild. He could kiss them forever and never tire. Right now he wanted to taste them so desperately he could feel the pressure building inside him.
    Storm raised her head and met Grady’s eyes, the tension so thick it could be sliced with a knife. When her eyes slid over him his skin felt too tight for him, and he deliberately looked away. One more look like that, he thought with a jolt of awareness, and he’d scoop her up in his arms, take her in the house, and make love to her. And that was something he couldn’t let happen right now. He had an appointment at sundown and nothing short of his own deathwould stop him from appearing at the appointed time.
    Without another word, Grady turned abruptly and left. Storm collapsed in a heap on the ground, shivering with cold