A Promise of Thunder

searched Grady’s face. “Why is he so white?”
    “He’s lost a great deal of blood.”
    Just then Grady opened his eyes, searching the room restlessly until his gaze settled on Storm, standing at the foot of the bed. His first attempt to speak failed, but he was finally able to ask, “Where—am I?”
    “In Dr. Finney’s surgery,” Storm said, moving closer. “You were shot yesterday. Do you remember?
    For a moment Grady looked confused. “I—”
    “Don’t try to speak. Rest now; you’re going to be all right. Would you like some water?”
    He nodded, and Storm offered him a sip from the glass sitting on the stand beside the bed. Suddenly his eyes narrowed and he looked at her strangely. His penetrating gaze sent a prickle of apprehension down her spine. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. “Grady, what is it?”
    “Storm—don’t want you—go away.”
    “What!” Storm’s heart was pounding so loudly it drowned out everything but his startling words. Was Grady trying to tell her he didn’t want her anywhere near him? Was he still angry at her decision to leave him?
    His eyes glittering like two brittle diamonds, Grady struggled to speak again. “Don’t want you—go away.”
    “Oh.” Storm’s hands flew to her face. Grady’s rejection was like a knife thrust to her heart. Abruptly, she whirled and fled from the room, unable to bear Laughing Brook’s gloating look.
    Had she remained one moment longer she would have heard Grady say, “Storm, I—don’twant you—to go away.” Only Laughing Brook heard Grady’s plea, and nothing short of death would drag it from her. When she saw that Grady had fallen back to sleep she quietly left the room. She found Storm standing just outside the door, weeping into her hands. Laughing Brook taunted her cruelly. “You abandoned him when he needed you. You have no reason to stay with him now; you heard what he said.”
    “He didn’t know what he was saying,” Storm said defensively. “Who will raise his son?”
    “I will continue to do what I have done since Summer Sky’s death. Little Buffalo is like my own child, and Thunder belongs to me. It is the way of the People. What further proof do you need?”
    What proof indeed? Storm thought bleakly. Grady had spoken his mind and obviously couldn’t bear the sight of her. She had hurt and angered him by leaving when he needed her and now he truly wished her gone. In her absence Laughing Brook would gladly care for his son and warm his bed.
    Laughing Brook searched Storm’s expressive face, gleefully anticipating her reaction. It was everything she could have hoped for. “I won’t stay where I’m not wanted,” Storm said. “I will honor Grady wishes.”
    “Where will you go?”
    “I don’t know, but I’ll think of something. I have a room at the hotel. You and Tim are welcome to it. It’s paid for until the end of the week. By then Grady should be ready to go home. Tellhim—tell him—” Her words fell off. What could she say to a man who didn’t want her? That she loved him? That she had never really wanted to leave him? That she had only wanted him to understand how much she deplored violence?
    “I think it best that you do not see Thunder again,” Laughing Brook said. “It will only upset him. I will care for him quite diligently.”
    “I’m sure you will,” Storm said dryly.

Chapter Fifteen
     
    The heavy weight of rejection rested heavily on Storm’s shoulders as she walked away from Grady. During those few moments before sundown when she had rushed out of the hotel, she began to realize just how much Grady meant to her. Hearing him tell her to go away had been a shattering experience. She’d expected him to be angry at her for leaving, but she had hoped he’d realize she was forced to act as she had because she had as much pride as he. How foolish she had been to think she could persuade Grady to mend his ways or be reasonable about her request. But Grady Stryker was a man with little patience or forgiveness in his barren heart.
    Rushing out the door of the doctor’s surgery, Storm nearly stumbled over Tim’s small formcrouched on the porch steps. When the boy saw her he jumped to his feet and hugged her fiercely, his little arms barely reaching around her legs.
    “Is Papa all right, Storm?” he asked anxiously. “May I please see him? Laughing Brook told me to stay outside until she sent for me.”
    Smiling through her tears, Storm knelt and gathered the