Deirdre frowned. "Me, hitting her? When?"

"Her right cheek is red all over."

"Her what?" Deirdre was aghast. She did not even touch her at all—the only thing she did was swing Emily's grip away. She did not even touch Emily's face.

"Don't tell me she put on some make-up just to make it look like that to you." Deirdre intoned, "All so you'd think I bullied her or something."

Brendan's smile widened. He grabbed her hand and brushed it against his lips. "Do you think I'll care even if you do bully her?"

"Okay. You've got a point."

Deirdre relaxed. She had no idea what Emily was trying to do, but at least she knew that Brendan would not get lured into her bait either way.

She drank several gulps of water before finally descending the stairs.

"Anyway, I went out just now and got you something."

"What's that?" Deirdre wondered aloud. After Brendan placed it on her hand and she brought it close to her nose, she realized it was a piece of carrot cake. Her favorite.

Her appetite ros