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Chapter 13: Time Off
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 14: A Wedding on Martha's Vinyard
Chapter 14: A Wedding on Martha's VinyardMaggie settled back in her seat beside Ben as the plane reached altitude. The flight to Martha's Vineyard would be barely over an hour. When the flight attendant came by, she ordered a chardonnay. Ben ordered tequila. He'd seemed moody since they shared a cab to the airport."So what gives?" she asked him. "What's going on?"He stared at the untouched drink on his tray table. "I think Alex is seeing someone else." His voice was barely audible.Maggie placed her hand over his and squeezed reassuringly. "Oh, please, don't be silly. What makes you say that?" If she was honest, she'd thought it odd that Alex had dropped out of the trip for the wedding at the last minute, but he'd said he had a big project at work."All the sudden he's working this weekend?" Ben asked bitterly. "He gets texts and leaves the room to answer them. He was late coming home from work three days this week. I think he's seeing someone he met at the gym.""Oh, s
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 15: Return to New York
Chapter 15: Return to New YorkMichael considered turning off the ball game when they entered the top of the ninth inning with his Yankees down five runs to one. At least Beaulieu didn't get a perfect game. There was that.His phone buzzed and he glanced down at the screen. Shit! He'd forgotten that he'd sent that message to Maggie. He clicked her name and jumped as bass-driven club music shattered the quiet of his apartment. There was Maggie dressed in a skimpy purple dress. He could see people dancing behind her as she sassed him from Martha's Vineyard. He grinned at her cheeky tone. Video, eh?He held out his phone and pressed record. "I know it's video, Mags. So how's the wedding? Is this better?" he smirked, and then pressed the send button again.Two minutes later he had her reply. "The wedding was beautiful. The party's great." She smiled wryly. "What are you up to this fine evening?"He sent another video. "I'm watching the Texas Rangers beat my Yankees. It's
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 16: Off the Clock
Chapter 16: Off the ClockMichael stepped out of the elevator into the dim reception area. The files he needed were on his desk, but he looked down the hall in the opposite direction from his office. Maggie's door was open and golden afternoon light filtered into the hallway from her window. He heard the sounds of movement coming from the open doorway of the library and he headed there.A mountain of books covered the table, and a few had even slid to the floor. It was as though someone had gone out of their way to leave a mess for Maggie to deal with when she returned. No way could anyone possibly use that many books in one day. Standifer and Hemphill, he guessed. He knew they always tried to give her a hard time.From deep within the rows of shelves, he heard her humming. He recognized the song immediately. Maggie appeared from around the corner, her back to him as she pulled a cart piled high with heavy leather volumes. The cord to her earbuds snaked up from the back pocke
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 17: Charity Event
Chapter 17: Charity EventOn Monday, Michael was in court all day, but an envelope mysteriously appeared on Maggie's desk at some point. It held two invitations and a note from Michael. Here are the tickets, Mags. It should be fun. Glad you're coming. See you tomorrow. M.Maggie called Ben. "You have to do me this favor."She'd called him right after the new phone was delivered and they'd talked for hours. Ben had arrived home to find that Alex had moved out of their apartment. He'd been devastated, and Maggie had listened compassionately as he told her everything they'd gone through over the last few weeks, the lies he'd caught Alex telling, the hang-ups on their landline when Ben answered the phone, the late nights and special projects Alex had been assigned lately. Maggie had tried to keep her opinion of Alex to herself but finally, she couldn't resist, "At least now you can move forward."Now on the phone, Ben was unenthusiastic. "What favor, Flynn?""You and I have in
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 18: Buyer's Remorse
Chapter 18: Buyer's RemorseMichael excused himself and stepped away from the table for a few moments to get away from Jana and her incessant yammering. He generally tried to match his dates with the appropriate outings. This event had Veronica written all over it and he'd tried her first, but she'd been unavailable. Bringing Jana to a fundraiser featuring classic rock music had been a mistake. The twenty-two-year-old had dropped out of school at the age of fifteen to pursue a career in modeling. She'd spent a few years in Paris but had never bothered to learn French. She was undeniably hot, a trait required for her current job as a swimsuit model, and she was always a fun fuck, but she was too young to appreciate the evening.He wandered toward the house in a vague effort to give credence to his intention of finding the restroom, but he was scanning the crowd. Where is she? he wondered. He knew Maggie was coming. And bringing a date. He wondered why that fact irritated him,
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 19: In Vino Veritas
Chapter 19: In Vino VeritasWith the concert over, the DJ was back in position and guests were taking advantage of the dance floor situated at the opposite end of the dinner tent from Michael's table. Michael and Maggie dodged enthusiastic dancers as they headed back to check on Ben.White candles on the tables and white paper lanterns hung along the sides of the tent bathed the scene in soft light. Nearby trees had been strung with tiny sparkling lights and with nightfall, the place took on the appearance of a fairyland.Ben was asleep with his head on the table when Michael and Maggie returned. The Murphys and the Methenys arrived at the table just behind them and their return caused Ben to stir slightly. "Did you see Diamond Dave?" Pam gushed excitedly. "He's still so hot!""I didn't see him but I heard him. He sounds great," Maggie commented."Michael, we're going to be heading out. We have to get back to the city and pay the babysitters while we can still afford it," Brian
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 20: Ride Back to the City
Chapter 20: Ride Back to the CityMichael and Maggie applauded with the rest of the guests following the finale of the fireworks display before returning to the table to collect Ben. She shivered a bit as they walked. "Are you cold?" Michael asked, running a hand down her bare arm. "You are!" When they reached the table, he removed his suit coat from the back of the chair where he'd left it and draped it over her shoulders. "Here, that should be better."Maggie pulled the coat around herself and as she did, his scent enveloped her. "Thanks! I didn't realize how chilly it had gotten."Ben was conscious and blinking in confusion. "Holy God, I thought we were being invaded," he said. "Where is everybody?"Maggie laughed. "Yes, we were invaded by aliens and they beamed up everyone except us. Come on, it's time to go. We've dodged a bullet. Michael has kindly offered for us to ride back to the city with him rather than taking the train."Ben cocked his head and looked adoringl
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 21: Goodbye, Michael.
Chapter 21: "Goodbye, Michael."On Saturday, Michael went to the gym and put in a strenuous workout before heading to the park for a five-mile run, trying desperately to shake the restlessness that had kept him tossing all night. In those moments he did manage to sleep, his dreams were filled with that red hair, the green dress, her laugh, those tits. He kept trying to minimize last night, to compartmentalize it somehow, but he couldn't dismiss the sensory overload of Maggie in his arms, her breath on his neck, the taste of her lips beneath his.Freshly showered, he pulled on a pair of grey sweatpants, towel-drying his hair on his way to the kitchen. From the dark granite counter, a blue light blinked on his phone. It was a voicemail from Veronica. "I need to see you," she'd said. He called her right away."Hey, Ronni, what's up?" he asked, curiosity momentarily distracting his thoughts."I've missed you, Michael." He heard the lazy smile in her voice. "I'd like to stop by an
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 131: Epilogue
Chapter 131: EpilogueIt was a crisp fall day as the new black Range Rover made its way carefully through the narrow lanes, coming to a stop at the base of a hill. The deep cerulean sky was accented by the vibrant scarlets, pumpkins, and golds of autumn leaves. Bobby shifted into 'Park' and looked over at Maggie.She chewed her lip anxiously. "I won't be long.""Take your time, cher." He smiled at her reassuringly. "We're not in any hurry."Maggie sighed deeply and unfastened her seat belt. She stepped out of the car and opened the door to the backseat, leaning in to retrieve a small bundle before closing the door again. "I won't be long," she repeated.Bobby watched as she carefully picked her way up the hill. "Daddy, can I go, too?" Savannah chirped from the back seat."No, June bug, let Mommy have a minute. Then we'll go to the country. Are you ready to pick some apples?""Yes! Apples!" she responded, and she began to sing a song about picking apples.At nearly the crest
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 130: So Typically Michael
Chapter 130: So Typically MichaelBrian smiled warmly as he welcomed Maggie and Bobby into his office. "I'm happy to have you here," he said, "I only wish it were under different circumstances."Maggie nodded mutely as she took in her surroundings. The law offices of Brian Murphy & Associates occupied a converted three-story building on W. 79th. The building had once been residential. The outer walls were exposed brick, and Maggie found that along with wood accents and details, everything worked together to create a comfortable, relaxed feel. Brian himself was casually dressed in khaki slacks and a white button-down shirt topped by a forest green V-neck cardigan. "This is a nice place," she murmured thoughtfully.Brian gave her a curious look and smiled again. "Well, it's not Murphy, Rannigan, but I think I actually like it better. We don't stand on formality around here. We're a small firm, and we like to think of ourselves as the friendly neighborhood lawyers. You know, whe
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 129: Heartbroken
Chapter 129: HeartbrokenSean Michael Rannigan was buried on a cold morning in late March. The frozen ground was bare of snow, but flurries swirled through the air on a biting breeze. Maggie found the grey day fitting for a funeral. As she watched the assortment of mourners gathered around the grave, her thoughts went back four days earlier to the day Michael had died.There had been a blur of activity. Rosalie had made the necessary calls to the necessary parties. Attendants from the funeral home had come and discreetly ushered his body away. Maggie had been disconsolate. Bobby had held her until she'd run out of tears.By the time they'd left to pick up Savannah from school, the apartment had been restored to normal, the medical equipment packed up and hauled away. Maggie had sensed the emptiness of the place and insisted that they pack up their things and return to her apartment.She'd forced a smile when Savannah came running up to the two of them in front of the school. "
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 128: Michael's Journey
Chapter 128: Michael's JourneyMaggie clasped and unclasped her hands as she sat anxiously beside the hospital bed in Michael's bedroom. Michael lay propped up against a mountain of pillows, his grey t-shirt showing above the crisp white cotton blanket that covered the rest of him. He'd insisted that the bed be placed beside the window and the drapes be left open so he could look out over the city. He drifted off now and again, but he seemed determined to be awake.It had been a rough night. Maggie and Bobby, along with the overnight nurse, had tag-teamed sitting up with Michael, who had alternated between sleeping fitfully and waking to spells of deep coughing and ragged wheezing.Bobby went to shower and get Savannah ready for school while Maggie and Michael watched the sun come up over the city. The colors were extraordinary, washing the sky in shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue. Maggie couldn't recall the last time she'd watched the sunrise. Michael watched the scene a
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 127: Michael's Family By Choice
Chapter 127: Michael's Family By ChoiceSavannah's clear blue eyes were huge as Bobby introduced her to Michael. "Savannah, you remember Mr. Michael. We met him at the airport that time. He's invited us to stay here with him for a while until we find our own house."When the doctor had released Michael from the hospital, he'd given him a timeline of a few weeks. Maggie had approached Michael, asking if she and Bobby could bring Savannah and stay with him for a while, and Michael had balked. "I don't want a bunch of people waiting around for me to die."She'd convinced him that he'd be doing them a favor, buying them time to find the right place. The truth was, she couldn't bear to think of being all the way in the East Village when he might need her.Now, the little girl regarded Michael solemnly, taking in his gaunt appearance, his grey sunken cheeks and his eyes with their dark circles. Her little brow wrinkled. "What's wrong with your face?" she asked."Savannah!" Bobby excl
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 126: Familymoon
Chapter 126: FamilymoonMaggie sat up on her beach blanket and hugged her knees, wriggling her toes and burying them in the cooler sand below the surface. Further down the beach, Bobby dutifully carried a small pink plastic pail as Savannah gathered shells. Maggie gazed past them to the sailboat anchored a few hundred yards offshore. It was their home for the week, and they'd sailed it to remote coves and empty beaches, relishing the quiet and the opportunity to bond as a family. Her gaze returned to Bobby and his daughter, and she smiled contentedly. It wasn't conventional, but it was just right.As if he felt her eyes on him, Bobby turned and smiled knowingly. He bent and said something to Savannah who looked to Maggie and waved. Maggie smiled and waved back as the pair returned to where she sat, Savannah scampering along while Bobby strolled purposefully, dropping his tall frame to the empty space beside her on the blanket."You've worn me out, June bug. Let me sit here by M
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 125: Michael, Back in the Saddle
Chapter 125: Michael, Back in the SaddleMichael sat back in his chair at the large oak conference table and relished the feeling of being in control. It had been too long since he'd done real casework. He'd forgotten how it felt, the rush of knowing that he held all the right cards. His charcoal grey suit hung a little loose due to the weight he'd lost, but he still knew how to project a confident presence. Figuring it would negatively impact his intimidation factor, he'd left his oxygen in the rental car.Bobby sat quietly beside him, tension radiating from his body. Michael had thoroughly prepped him. "Don't say anything. If they speak to you, look at me. Above all, don't let them bait you."Across the table, Deanna, in her white blouse and navy-blue knee-length skirt with her honey blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, looked more the sad abandoned single mother than the scheming opportunistic gold-digger that she was. Her gaze flitted nervously between Michael and Bobb
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 124: Custody Issues
Chapter 124: Custody IssuesThe deceptively bright sun and cloudless blue sky seemed at odds with the brisk cold day. But it made for a perfect afternoon spent skating at Wellman Rink in Central Park. Savannah squealed in delight as she struggled along on her ice skates. She was in no real danger of falling, safely tucked between her father and Maggie who each held a hand. She looked up, and Maggie could see the child's pink cheeks and sparkling eyes. "Are you having fun?" she asked the little girl."Yeah! This is awesome!"Bobby looked at Maggie over his daughter's head and winked, smiling. He was beyond grateful to Maggie for taking the unscheduled visit in stride. She'd even taken off work on Friday afternoon so that she could stay with Savannah when he'd had to leave for the studio. He'd arrived home late that night to find the little girl fast asleep in a makeshift tent constructed out of a blanket draped over a card table. "We decided to pretend we were camping," Mag
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 123: Engaged
Chapter 123: EngagedBobby's eyes twinkled with mischief. "How's that?"Illuminated only by the handful of candles scattered about the room, Maggie pulled against the restraints that bound her wrists to the bars of her iron headboard and giggled softly. "It's fine.""No, you're fine," he murmured as his hand lightly traced along the side of her body. He continued down her leg to bind first one ankle then the other to the corners of the bed. He stood at the end gazing over her nude body spread out before him, candlelight bathing her skin in a soft glow. "Aiee, cher, how did I get so lucky?"Slowly, keeping his eyes on hers, he removed his shirt, jeans, and boxer briefs. His impressive erection stood at attention. "Where do I even start?" he whispered, and she giggled again.Bobby crawled onto the bed between her open legs, moving up over her body until he reached her face. Leaning down, he kissed her deeply. "Oh, Bobby," she whispered against his lips.He lightly nipped down t
