Turner, for your kind offer, but I don’t anticipate any problems.”
“Then I’ll be on my way,” Turner said, tipping his hat. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Kennedy.” He gave Grady a quick nod before continuing on his way.
“Do you always speak to strangers?” Gradyasked with unreasonable anger. “Did your parents teach you nothing?”
“How dare you suggest I’d invite a man’s attentions,” Storm bit out. “Mr. Turner noticed the confrontation between you and Fork and kindly offered assistance. I thought he was a real gentleman.”
“Some men prefer widows for their obvious experience,” Grady said crudely, “while others prey on any comely woman too naive to see through them. You’re young, beautiful, and too damn desirable for your own good. You’d be wise to discourage men like Turner. You’re not adept enough to handle them.”
Grady noted the surprised look on Storm’s face and was puzzled by it. Didn’t she know men would find her beautiful and desirable? Was she so naive that she had no earthly idea she was breathtakingly lovely, with an innate sensuousness that made men itch to possess her? Nothing about her was ordinary. From the top of her shining blonde head to the tip of her dainty feet she was sensual, provocative, and fascinating. Grady thought her lips the most tempting he had ever seen. Full and lush, they seemed made expressly for kissing.
“I have no intention of listening to you or any other man, Mr. Stryker. I’ll do as I see fit.”
The slightest of smiles curved Grady’s lips. “Seeing as how we’re neighbors, why don’t you call me Grady?”
“Because I have no intention of becoming too friendly with you,” Storm said. Her scathingreply drew a chuckle from him. “Do you think I could forget so soon that you’re responsible for Buddy’s death?”
Grady’s face darkened and he turned away. Storm had wanted to put him in his place and she felt a thrill of accomplishment at having done it so handily. He really is a detestable man, she thought.
Then why does sparring with Grady Stryker make you feel so alive?
a voice inside her dared to ask.
Because Grady Stryker is like no other man
, that same voice replied.
Storm chose to ignore those voices. All she knew was that Grady Stryker was a danger to her. If just being near him could make her forget Buddy, what would a friendship lead to? Trouble, she decided. More trouble than she could even imagine. Men like Grady Stryker didn’t settle down in one place for long. Sooner or later their violent ways caught up with them.
Once their claims were filed, Storm and Grady went their own ways, agreeing to meet back at the wagon later in the day. First Storm visited the bank, receiving assurance that she had sufficient funds with which to buy lumber and hire men to build her shanty. Only she wasn’t going to build a shanty. It was going to be a real cabin, small out of necessity, but comfortable enough for her immediate needs. No soddy built of turf for her. Many settlersbuilt them for economy’s sake despite the fact that they were damp and nearly impossible to keep clean.
From the bank, Storm went to the lumberyard to order wood and roofing for her cabin. The owner assured her the material would be delivered to her claim the next day. Construction could be started immediately.
Storm and Grady met by chance at the lumberyard when he stopped there to order his own lumber. Since his funds were limited, he planned to build his own dwelling.
A visit to the grocery store for provisions was her last stop before Storm headed back to the wagon. She had already arranged for a well to be dug and bought items she and Buddy had neglected earlier. She placed her purchases in the wagon beside Grady’s packages. Because he had been less prepared than Storm, his goods nearly filled the wagon. Foremost was the roomy tent he intended to use until his cabin was erected.
When Grady leaped into the driver’s seat, Storm
“Then I’ll be on my way,” Turner said, tipping his hat. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Kennedy.” He gave Grady a quick nod before continuing on his way.
“Do you always speak to strangers?” Gradyasked with unreasonable anger. “Did your parents teach you nothing?”
“How dare you suggest I’d invite a man’s attentions,” Storm bit out. “Mr. Turner noticed the confrontation between you and Fork and kindly offered assistance. I thought he was a real gentleman.”
“Some men prefer widows for their obvious experience,” Grady said crudely, “while others prey on any comely woman too naive to see through them. You’re young, beautiful, and too damn desirable for your own good. You’d be wise to discourage men like Turner. You’re not adept enough to handle them.”
Grady noted the surprised look on Storm’s face and was puzzled by it. Didn’t she know men would find her beautiful and desirable? Was she so naive that she had no earthly idea she was breathtakingly lovely, with an innate sensuousness that made men itch to possess her? Nothing about her was ordinary. From the top of her shining blonde head to the tip of her dainty feet she was sensual, provocative, and fascinating. Grady thought her lips the most tempting he had ever seen. Full and lush, they seemed made expressly for kissing.
“I have no intention of listening to you or any other man, Mr. Stryker. I’ll do as I see fit.”
The slightest of smiles curved Grady’s lips. “Seeing as how we’re neighbors, why don’t you call me Grady?”
“Because I have no intention of becoming too friendly with you,” Storm said. Her scathingreply drew a chuckle from him. “Do you think I could forget so soon that you’re responsible for Buddy’s death?”
Grady’s face darkened and he turned away. Storm had wanted to put him in his place and she felt a thrill of accomplishment at having done it so handily. He really is a detestable man, she thought.
Then why does sparring with Grady Stryker make you feel so alive?
a voice inside her dared to ask.
Because Grady Stryker is like no other man
, that same voice replied.
Storm chose to ignore those voices. All she knew was that Grady Stryker was a danger to her. If just being near him could make her forget Buddy, what would a friendship lead to? Trouble, she decided. More trouble than she could even imagine. Men like Grady Stryker didn’t settle down in one place for long. Sooner or later their violent ways caught up with them.
Once their claims were filed, Storm and Grady went their own ways, agreeing to meet back at the wagon later in the day. First Storm visited the bank, receiving assurance that she had sufficient funds with which to buy lumber and hire men to build her shanty. Only she wasn’t going to build a shanty. It was going to be a real cabin, small out of necessity, but comfortable enough for her immediate needs. No soddy built of turf for her. Many settlersbuilt them for economy’s sake despite the fact that they were damp and nearly impossible to keep clean.
From the bank, Storm went to the lumberyard to order wood and roofing for her cabin. The owner assured her the material would be delivered to her claim the next day. Construction could be started immediately.
Storm and Grady met by chance at the lumberyard when he stopped there to order his own lumber. Since his funds were limited, he planned to build his own dwelling.
A visit to the grocery store for provisions was her last stop before Storm headed back to the wagon. She had already arranged for a well to be dug and bought items she and Buddy had neglected earlier. She placed her purchases in the wagon beside Grady’s packages. Because he had been less prepared than Storm, his goods nearly filled the wagon. Foremost was the roomy tent he intended to use until his cabin was erected.
When Grady leaped into the driver’s seat, Storm
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