Rachael didn’t answer, comforted that he wasn’t abandoning her. They were slogging through the swamps, climbing carefully over the myriad of tree roots extending out from the base of the trunk creating little mini cages. Water lapped at Rio’s knees. The look of the forest changed as they neared the river’s edge. More light was able to penetrate the canopy, and many of the trees were smaller with crooked trunks and branches that draped low to hang over the water.

“Aren’t there alligators and other reptilian things here?” Rachael asked. The roar of the river was deafening. The moist heat curled her hair even more, creating a mass of springy whorls and spirals. She had avoided the mangroves and swamps as much as possible along with all the other members of the group bringing medical aid. The edges of the river could be as dangerous as they were beautiful.

Rio waded out in the fast-moving water. “We’re going to swim, Rachael. Hopefully Tama’s potion will protect your leg from any further infection. I’m going to tie you to me, in case you get swept away by the current.”

“Are you crazy? We can’t swim in this.” She was horrified. In the dark, the river appeared swifter and more frightening than it had during the day. Or maybe without bandits rushing out of the forest it seemed more dangerous.

“We have no choice if we’re going to get you to safety, Rachael. As long as he knows where you are, we’re handicapped. He’s mobile and we aren’t. I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She stared into his face. Into his eyes. Studied his firm jaw, the tiny lines etched into his rough features. Rachael lifted her hand and traced one small scar down low near his chin. “Lucky for you, I’m a heck of a swimmer.” She smiled at him, trusting him when she hadn’t trusted anyone for as long as she could remember. “My name is Rachael Lospostos, Rio. It isn’t really Smith.”

“Somehow I knew that already.” He kissed her upturned mouth gently. “Thank you. I know that wasn’t easy for you.”

“It’s the least I could do when I got you into this mess.” Her dark eyes glinted with amusement. “You can kiss me again though. If I drown, I want to take the taste of your perfectly lovely mouth with me.”

“You know you’re distracting me. If we get eaten by an alligator, it’s your fault.”

“I heard they don’t like fast-moving water,” she said and fastened her mouth to his. They merged instantly the way they always did, sinking into one another and spinning away from the world.