“In this weather? And it’s getting dark now. It isn’t safe, Rio. They were taken on the other side of the river.” She would have to leave immediately. Rachael detested how selfish it made her feel. Of course Rio needed to help the others if he could, although she didn’t see how he could accomplish anything against a group of armed bandits.

In a sudden fit of temper at herself, or the situation, she flung off the thin cover. “I need to get out of this bed, this room, before I go completely mad.”

“Slow down, lady.” Rio caught at her, preventing movement. “Just sit still and let me see what I can do.” There was a flicker of knowledge in his eyes, as if he could read her mind and knew her selfish thoughts.

Rachael watched Rio stalk outside and disappear from sight. She could hear him making noise on the verandah, unusual when he was usually so silent. The wind helped to dispel the oppressive heat and claustrophobia, but she wanted to cry, stuck in the bed, unable to get across the small distance to the open doorway. The mosquito net fluttered in the breeze. As always, Rio hadn’t lit the light; he seemed to be able to see in the dark and preferred it.

The thought triggered a long-forgotten memory. Laughter, soft and contagious, the two of them whispering together in the rain. Rio swinging her into his arms and spinning in a circle while drops fell on her upturned face. Her breath caught in her throat. It never happened. She would know if she had been with him. Rio was not a man a woman would ever forget or want to give up.

“Come on, I’m going to take you outside. It’s raining, but the roof over the verandah has no leaks so you can sit in the open for a while. I know what it’s like to feel caged. Let me do the work,” he said. He slipped his arms under her legs. “Put your arms around my neck.”

“I weigh a lot,” she cautioned, obediently linking her fingers behind his neck. Joy was blossoming inside her, a deep glowing warmth bubbling over at the prospect of getting out of the bed, and of looking at open sky.

“I think I can manage,” he said dryly. “Be prepared when I lift you, it’s going to hurt.”

It did, so much so that she buried her face against the warmth of his neck, choking off a startled cry. Pain radiated up her leg, hit the pit of her stomach and exploded throughout her body. Her fingernails dug into his skin and she bit down hard on her thumb.

“I’m sorry, Rachael, I know it hurts,” he said softly.