He noticed a scrape on her left wrist, another on her jaw-line. And more cobwebs in her hair.
He stood at the bottom of the steps and touched her jaw next to the scrape. She had soft, smooth skin. âThe cat do this?â
She shook her head. âNo, no,â she said, her voice hoarse. Whatever had happened, she was stemming a shock reaction. Chattering teeth, trembling, rapid heartbeat. She looked as if she had every muscle in her body tensed to keep herself from jumping out of her skin. âI just fell. It was stupid. I heard the cat down in the cellar and went to investigate.â
âAt night? Youâre braver than I am. Old Tippy Tail would have been on her own if Iâd heard her.â
âI was afraid she was having her kittens, and I could hear her through the floorboards. She sounded awful.â Tess pushed her hand through her short curls again, and for no reason he could think of, Andrew noticed her long, slender fingers. An artistâs hands. âItâs an old house. I can hear everything.â
âI understand.â
Her eyes lifted, focusing on him for the first time. Her smile, although still tentative, seemed genuine, her nerves less rattled. âI know about the houseâs history. I refuse to be scared, let myself get creeped out. When I heard the cat, I went around to the bulkhead.â She pointed to the back of the house, as if to remind herself what sheâd done, how it had made sense at the time. âThereâs a trapdoor inside, but Iâm not sure itâs safe.â
âIâve seen that trapdoor. I wouldnât want to go that way either.â Andrew sat on the step next to her; she smelled as if sheâd been rolling around in a hundred-year-old dirt cellar. âI donât imagine the bulkheadâs much better.â
She almost managed a laugh. âSo I discovered. Tippy Tail had lodged herself way back in the old dirt cellar. I tripped over some junk and fell.â
âThatâs when you yelled?â
She averted her eyes, and they took on a faraway look, as if she were back down in the cellar, falling in the dark. She blinked a couple of times, focused again on him and forced a smile. âYes. I kept thinking about snakes. It was ridiculous.â
Not so ridiculous in an old dirt cellar, but Andrew decided Tess didnât need him to confirm her worst suspicions. âHurt yourself?â
âNot really. Iâm afraid I scared off your cat, though. I have no idea where she is.â
âShe hadnât had her kittens?â
Tess shook her head. âNo. Just as well. Next time Iâll leave her alone.â
âTippy Tailâs a survivor. Sheâll be fine.â
âI hope so.â
She started to her feet, calmer now, but there was little improvement in her color. She was still pale, shaken from her encounter with Tippy Tail. Andrew followed her up. As she started to turn to go inside, she winced suddenly and grabbed his arm, steadying herself.
âSorry.â She still held on tight. Andrew didnât move, let her gain her balance. âI forgotâI took a pretty good hit on my side.â Her grip relaxed slightly, but she didnât let go. âIâm okay.â
âMaybe you should come back to my house.â Andrewâs voice was quiet, and he tried to sound sensible, not dictatorial. Tess Haviland didnât seem the type to want anyone to swoop in to the rescue. âI can make you a cup of tea, and you can see if you discover any more aches and pains.â
âI really did take a tumble.â She smiled, but he could see the pain in her eyes. But she shook her head. âThanks, but Iâve got chamomile tea inside. Iâll make myself a cup.â
âOkay, but I wouldnât be much of a neighbor if I left you before youâre steady on your feet. Come on, Iâll fix you that chamomile tea.â
She released her grip on his arm, managed