Rachael put her hand on Rio’s shoulder when she heard him swear softly under his breath. “He’s strong, Rio.”
“No man wants to lose his leg.”
Her fingers went to the nape of his neck in a slow massage. “No they don’t. Let’s hope that’s not what happens,”
WILD RAIN
257
She rubbed her face along Rio’s arm, much like a cat giving affection. “Kim, Rio told me a man named Joshua was hurt last night too. Have you heard anything about him?”
“He is going to be down for a long while, but he will recover.”
“Why did your father send you to us?” Rio asked abruptly.
“There’s a large party moving through the forest, Rio.” Kim’s face was open and friendly, but there was a hint of shadow in his eyes. “A man came to our village seeking my father’s counsel. He said he needed help, that he does medical research and was looking for a variety of plants for his work. He knew all of the old traditions. He was very respectful and he gifted my father with a spear.”
Rio’s head went up. Rachael could see Ms frown. “He gave your father a spear?”
“It was old, very old. And it was one of ours. He claimed that the spear was handed down two generations. That it was given to honor his grandfather for saving the life of a child, and that if it was returned, a debt of honor would be repaid.”
“This man is a doctor?”
Kim shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think he is not telling the truth. He asked for a guide and father sent Tama with Mm and then sent me to find you. My father believes this man is looking for Miss Rachael.”
“Why would he think that?” Rachael asked. “Did he ask about me?”
“My father had a vision. He saw this man standing beside you with a gun in his hand. He sent me to warn Rio.” Kim looked at Rachael. “I see disbelief in your eyes, Miss Rachael. Don’t discount my father’s visions because you have not experienced such a thing. He has kept our people from harm over many years.”
“He’s a powerful medicine man,” Rio added. “I won’t allow Rachael to take chances, Kim. Thank you for warning us. You’ve come a long way. Come in and have something to drink. I can fix us a meal.”
258
Christine Feehan
Kim stepped into the house and glanced across the room toward the rumbled bed. Rachael found herself blushing. Rio laced his fingers through hers and drew her hand to his mouth, teeth nibbling gently before pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Does this doctor have a large party with him?”
Kim nodded. “Many men. All are armed. Why would a research team need guns? Where would they get such guns just coming into the country? Money changed hands, a lot of it, for this man to have those weapons available to him. They have supplies enough for several weeks. The luggage is top of the line. Whoever it is, he has money and doesn’t mind spending it. There are no women along, and that’s a bad sign. All of the men in his party are warriors.”
Rio brought Rachael’s hand to his heart. She didn’t look at him. She was staring out the door into the forest. There was regret and sadness on her face. He caught the sheen of tears in her eyes. Rio pressed her hand tighter to his chest. “It doesn’t change anything, Rachael.”
“It changes everything. You know it does. You know who he is. I never thought he’d go this far.” Her voice was choked with tears.
“Rachael, this is my world. If I have to …”
“No! Don’t you touch him. Don’t you go near him.” There was a fierce, protective note in her voice. “You have no idea what he gave up for me. What he’s had to cope with all of his life. Don’t you dare judge him.” Rachael pulled away from him and went out the door to stand on the edge of the verandah, staring out into the forest.
15
THERE was no way to make Rio understand. There was no way for anyone to understand. Rachael wasn’t certain she understood anymore. Despair hit her in waves. She had known all along she couldn’t stay with Rio. She had wanted him, wanted to share her life almost from the first time he spoke to her. She hadn’t intended it to happen, it just had. Through Rio, she had glimpsed what it could be like to have a real partner to go through life with. A soul mate.