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Chapter 82: Michael's Neighbor
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 83: Facing Facts
Chapter 83: Facing FactsMaggie limped down to Michael's and let herself in. "Michael, I'm here." She slipped off her one shoe and left it in the foyer. Michael was sitting on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table. Baseball was playing silently on the television. "How are you doing?""I feel like shit," he answered without looking her way.She sighed. "I'm sorry. Have you eaten?" He didn't respond. "I'm going to reheat this soup," she said shrugging. "You need to eat something." In the kitchen, she found a glass bowl and transferred the soup from its paper container. While it heated in the microwave, she found a tray and added a small plate of saltines. "I met your neighbor," she told Michael when she brought his soup and crackers. He glanced at her incuriously. "Bobby…something. Tall guy, brown hair? In 2107?"Michael frowned slightly. "Do you mean Beau?"Maggie shook her head. "He said his name was Bobby. He came to my rescue." She lifted the hem of he
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 84: Drifting Thoughts
Chapter 84: Drifting ThoughtsThroughout the following day, Maggie had trouble concentrating on her work. Her thoughts kept drifting to Bobby. She pictured his broad shoulders and tall frame, his wavy brown hair, the clear blue eyes with those long lashes…that heat-inspiring lopsided grin. He's amazingly attractive in a masculine, blue-collar sort of way. Which is weird, being that he lives in Michael's building. Anybody living there must have money. He seems so laid-back and casual. He said he'd only been there a few months, hadn't even unpacked. Where did he come from? She thought about his slight drawl, the way he'd called her cher. She felt her lips curl in a smile. Bobby was…a very interesting development.For whom I have absolutely no time. She frowned. Work is crazy, add to that playing nursemaid to Michael. Not that she minded. Not really. He had no one else. Of course, that was his own fault. But when he'd shown up on her doorstep that night, she hadn't been
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 85: Emergency
Chapter 85: EmergencyThe following afternoon as Maggie entered Michael's building, she felt a slight sense of dread. I hated turning Bobby down yesterday. He seems like a nice guy. I don't want to have to continue to make excuses. She glanced around the lobby on her way to the elevator but didn't see him. She stepped inside and pressed the button.As she walked down the hall toward Michael's apartment, she passed the door to 2107. It was closed, and all was quiet. She shook her head. It's ridiculous to feel disappointed. This is precisely why you need a man in your life like you need a hole in the head. She didn't see Bobby the next day, either, or the following few days after that. What the hell? Maybe he's avoiding me. She rolled her eyes. Why would he do that? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard… She was standing in Michael's kitchen heating black beans and rice from the Jamaican place down the street. "Hey, the microwave went off five minutes ago," he said, o
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 86: A Long Day Just Got Longer
Chapter 86: A Long Day Just Got LongerMaggie glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only 10:30 and she'd been interviewing witnesses for three hours. This was going to be a long day. One witness had just finished and the next one was being called when she was startled by the buzzing of her phone. Checking it quickly, she saw that it was Michael. Dammit, Michael, I told you to text and not call. She pressed the ignore button and reviewed her notes for this next witness. Seconds later her phone buzzed again. "Shit," she swore softly, "I'm sorry, Rance. I've got to take this. I'll just be a second."She stalked into the hall and found a quiet corner, stabbing the green button on her screen. "What the fuck, Michael?! I told you not to call me today. I'm in the middle of about a million depositions. I said text, don't call.""Uh, sorry Maggie," said an unfamiliar voice. "This is Bobby. I didn't mean to bother you. I just wanted to let you know they're taking Michael to
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 87: A Chat Over Coffee
Chapter 87: A Chat Over CoffeeMaggie watched Bobby across the hospital cafeteria. From her vantage point, she could appreciate the way his long-sleeved navy-blue Henley clung to his broad muscular shoulders. The shirt was worn casually, untucked over faded jeans and as he turned toward her, she noticed the light tuft of chest hair sticking out through the unbuttoned placket. Her eyes traveled to the worn brown leather boots on his feet. How have I never noticed how sexy leather boots can be?Bobby smiled at her as he carried two cups of coffee to the table where Maggie sat waiting. "Here you go," he said, placing a cup in front of her."Thanks," she said, tearing open a yellow packet and emptying the contents into the cup, stirring with a wooden stick. Even so, she didn't drink. "I didn't mean to cause a scene back there," she told him. "It just…infuriated me that they questioned my being here."He sipped thoughtfully. "Aw, you know, they have rules they have to follow," he s
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 88: This is Not Happening
Chapter 88: This is Not HappeningMichael's 'against medical advice' release from the hospital took a couple of hours by the time the doctor performed one final examination and all the paperwork was completed. They were given a stack of information that Maggie read on the cab ride back to Michael's apartment. "This settles it," she said waving the pamphlets at him. "Tomorrow I'm shopping for organic everything for you. It's so much healthier. I'll put together meals to keep in the freezer, and you can pull them out one at a time and microwave them." Thank God tomorrow's Saturday."You really don't have to do all that, Mags," Michael said. "I know it's a lot. I'm feeling stronger. Maybe you can come by every couple of days instead of every day. At least until I get my next round of chemo."Maggie shook her head. "We'll see," she said.They rode in silence for a few blocks. Michael looked grimly thoughtful. "Do you think this is my punishment?"She craned around to look at
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 89: Bourbon Between Friends
Chapter 89: Bourbon Between FriendsMichael woke with a start. He'd dozed off in front of the television. The soft knock came again. Stretching, he limped to the door."Hey, Michael," Bobby said. "I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to check on you. How are you feeling?""Glad to be home," Michael said. "Come on in." He turned and walked back into the living room, leaving Bobby to close the door. As Bobby came in, Michael watched him glancing around. "Mags took off a few hours ago," Michael said.Bobby met his eyes. "Oh, well, I know it's late.""I figure you for a man who appreciates a good bourbon," Michael told him, crossing over to the bar."I've been known to imbibe on occasion," Bobby replied, grinning good-naturedly. He watched as Michael poured a couple of fingers of the rich dark amber liquid into two glasses. "Should you be doing that?""I'm dying," Michael shrugged as he handed a glass to Bobby. "I'll do what I like." Bobby looked over at him, stricken.
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 90: Wear Something Pretty
Chapter 90: Wear Something PrettyMaggie did something completely out of character when she got home that night. She intentionally tuned her television to sports. There sat Bobby discussing baseball with a handful of other guys, the disassociation of television doing nothing to diminish the blue of his eyes or the sexy lilt of his voice. Now that she knew about the subtle Cajun accent, she couldn't not hear it. There was no stopping the smile as it spread across her face.Bobby was dressed in a charcoal suit with a blue shirt and a coordinating tie as he chatted and laughed with his colleagues. Maggie watched in fascination. He really is handsome. I've never seen him dressed up before. In her mind, she replayed their conversation in the hospital cafeteria and she groaned miserably. He has to think I'm an absolute idiot. If he doesn't think I'm just a bitch. "I'll have to apologize when I see him, that's all there is to it," she said aloud.The next morning, Maggie got up ea
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 131: Epilogue
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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
