stranger’s suave manner, Storm’s answer came immediately. “Mr. Stryker hardly qualifies as a friend. I’ve only just met him. And the circumstance of our meeting was deplorable.”
“Ah, yes, the tragic accident involving your husband. How sad for you, my dear. Let me introduce myself. I am Nat Turner, newly arrived in Guthrie to conduct business.” He didn’t mention what kind of business he was involved in, and Storm didn’t bother to ask.
Storm eyed Turner warily, leery of his intentions. “I’m Storm Kennedy.”
“I don’t blame you for being cautious, Mrs. Kennedy. Guthrie abounds with all types of scoundrels. But I took you for a lady immediately and wished only to offer my services. In whatever capacity,” he added, sliding a glance in Grady’s direction. “Has the half-breed been bothering you?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Turner, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Of course you are, but just in case, I can be reached at the Guthrie Hotel. I see you are in line,” he remarked conversationally. “Have you by chance claimed a piece of Oklahoma?”
Storm smiled radiantly, eager and willing to relate how she had claimed her quarter section of prime land. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Remarkable, I’d say, though I can’t help but wonder how you’ll manage on your own. Farming is difficult enough for a man, but a woman—?”
Storm’s bottom lip jutted out belligerently. “Perhaps I won’t farm the land. There are other possibilities, you know. Besides, I’m quite capable of surviving on my own.”
“Very commendable, yes indeed, but not very practical. I predict that once you have time to consider the tremendous responsibility you’re assuming you’ll have second thoughts. If you do—”
“I won’t.”
“But if you do, I’d be more than happy to buy your land from you at a reasonable price. Just think, you can go back home with money in your pocket and find yourself a husband to support you.”
“I appreciate your advice, Mr. Turner, but Oklahoma is my home now. Come what may, I’m here to stay.”
“Who is that man talking to Mrs. Kennedy?” Grady asked Captain Stark when he noticed Storm wasn’t alone.
“A speculator by the name of Nat Turner,” Stark said, glancing in Storm’s direction. “Don’t know much about him. He just arrived in town.”
Grady didn’t like the way the man was cozying up to Storm. “If you’ll excuse me, Captain, I think I’ll see what he wants with Storm.”
“Very well, Stryker. Just remember, stay out of trouble. In deference to your father, I’m going to ignore the rumors concerning your past. But at the first sign of trouble, I’ll be all over you like hot tar.”
“I’ll remember that, Captain,” Grady said as he focused his attention back to Storm and the man with whom she was conversing.
“Nevertheless, please don’t hesitate to call on me for anything—anything at all,” Grady heard the stranger say to Storm.
“Is there a problem?” Grady asked, scowling at Turner in a manner that bespoke his displeasure.
“I’m merely offering my services to Mrs. Kennedy,” Turner replied quickly.
Turner thought the half-breed looked like the kind of man he usually avoided, a man with a hot temper who acted first and asked questions later. Turner’s philosophy in life was never to tangle personally with dangerous men. There were other, more subtle ways to gain the upper hand with men like that without exposing oneself to violence. He paid good money to avoid violence and keep his reputation unsullied.
“Mrs. Kennedy doesn’t need your services, Turner.” For some reason Grady felt an instant dislike for Nat Turner.
“I can speak for myself,” Storm said, her temper flaring. What made Grady Stryker think he was responsible for her? He had no business speaking in her behalf. As soon as they were alone she intended to give him a piece of her mind. “Thank you very much, Mr.
“Ah, yes, the tragic accident involving your husband. How sad for you, my dear. Let me introduce myself. I am Nat Turner, newly arrived in Guthrie to conduct business.” He didn’t mention what kind of business he was involved in, and Storm didn’t bother to ask.
Storm eyed Turner warily, leery of his intentions. “I’m Storm Kennedy.”
“I don’t blame you for being cautious, Mrs. Kennedy. Guthrie abounds with all types of scoundrels. But I took you for a lady immediately and wished only to offer my services. In whatever capacity,” he added, sliding a glance in Grady’s direction. “Has the half-breed been bothering you?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Turner, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Of course you are, but just in case, I can be reached at the Guthrie Hotel. I see you are in line,” he remarked conversationally. “Have you by chance claimed a piece of Oklahoma?”
Storm smiled radiantly, eager and willing to relate how she had claimed her quarter section of prime land. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Remarkable, I’d say, though I can’t help but wonder how you’ll manage on your own. Farming is difficult enough for a man, but a woman—?”
Storm’s bottom lip jutted out belligerently. “Perhaps I won’t farm the land. There are other possibilities, you know. Besides, I’m quite capable of surviving on my own.”
“Very commendable, yes indeed, but not very practical. I predict that once you have time to consider the tremendous responsibility you’re assuming you’ll have second thoughts. If you do—”
“I won’t.”
“But if you do, I’d be more than happy to buy your land from you at a reasonable price. Just think, you can go back home with money in your pocket and find yourself a husband to support you.”
“I appreciate your advice, Mr. Turner, but Oklahoma is my home now. Come what may, I’m here to stay.”
“Who is that man talking to Mrs. Kennedy?” Grady asked Captain Stark when he noticed Storm wasn’t alone.
“A speculator by the name of Nat Turner,” Stark said, glancing in Storm’s direction. “Don’t know much about him. He just arrived in town.”
Grady didn’t like the way the man was cozying up to Storm. “If you’ll excuse me, Captain, I think I’ll see what he wants with Storm.”
“Very well, Stryker. Just remember, stay out of trouble. In deference to your father, I’m going to ignore the rumors concerning your past. But at the first sign of trouble, I’ll be all over you like hot tar.”
“I’ll remember that, Captain,” Grady said as he focused his attention back to Storm and the man with whom she was conversing.
“Nevertheless, please don’t hesitate to call on me for anything—anything at all,” Grady heard the stranger say to Storm.
“Is there a problem?” Grady asked, scowling at Turner in a manner that bespoke his displeasure.
“I’m merely offering my services to Mrs. Kennedy,” Turner replied quickly.
Turner thought the half-breed looked like the kind of man he usually avoided, a man with a hot temper who acted first and asked questions later. Turner’s philosophy in life was never to tangle personally with dangerous men. There were other, more subtle ways to gain the upper hand with men like that without exposing oneself to violence. He paid good money to avoid violence and keep his reputation unsullied.
“Mrs. Kennedy doesn’t need your services, Turner.” For some reason Grady felt an instant dislike for Nat Turner.
“I can speak for myself,” Storm said, her temper flaring. What made Grady Stryker think he was responsible for her? He had no business speaking in her behalf. As soon as they were alone she intended to give him a piece of her mind. “Thank you very much, Mr.
Similar Books
