Rio slowly set Rachael onto the overstuffed sofa, never taking his eyes from Drake. There was sudden tension in Rio’s body, although he appeared as relaxed as ever. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Rachael could see he was just as focused on Drake as Drake was on the cat. Neither man moved a muscle, so still they seemed to become part of the forest, blending into the shadows. Clouds moved overhead, darkening the skies. As the wind blew and foliage and creepers feathered back and forth the shadows grew and lengthened. A few raindrops managed to penetrate the heavy canopy and splashed on the railing of the verandah.

The sound of wood tearing was loud and unnerving. Long splinters of wood fell to the floor of the porch to lie in curls. Rachael stared at them in surprise. Franz hissed and, facing Drake, backed away as he slowly slunk toward the largest tree branch. As if his back legs were springs, the clouded leopard launched himself into the canopy and disappeared.

Drake remained motionless, watching the leaves quivering, and then he took a deep breath, let it out and glanced at Rio. “Back off, man, the little runt deserved to be kicked.”

“Fritz was attacked by a leopard, Drake. Franz is a little on edge. You could have given him a break.”

“I don’t understand,” Rachael interrupted. “I thought you two were friends.”

Rio immediately dropped his hand onto her shoulder. “Drake and I understand each other, Rachael.”

“Well I don’t understand either of you.”

Rio laughed softly. “It has something to do with bad-tempered cats. Come on, let’s get that leg taken care of.”

“You mean put that homemade brownish paste on it?” Rachael sounded horrified. “I don’t think so. I’ll take my chances with the care you gave me.” She stared at the railing behind Drake. There were fresh claw marks in the wood and she couldn’t remember them being there earlier.

“Surely you aren’t going to be a coward,” Rio teased, picking her up as if nothing had happened. He didn’t glance at the claw marks or seem to notice them. All the tension was gone as if it had never been.

“Maybe we could mix a few more petals in with it and change the color,” Drake suggested, preceding Rio into the house. “Tama, she doesn’t want your healing concoction. Can you change the color to princess pink?”

Rachael made a face at Drake. “I’ll go without it, regardless of color.”

Kim smiled at her. “It works, Miss Wilson.”

“Rachael,” she corrected, trying to look dignified when Rio placed her on the bed. She was already tired and wanted to just lie down and sleep for a while. “How fast does it work? And does it hurt?”

“Your leg already hurts,” Rio pointed out. “It won’t make the pain worse.”