A Passion Redeemed Read Online Free Page A

know each other?"
    "Yes, Mitch works for me." Rigan's hands slid to Charity's waist, resting comfortably. "Or should I say, my father?"
    Mitch ground his teeth behind a tight-lipped expression, biting back insults that lingered on the tip of his tongue. He forced a smile. "Definitely not you."
    Rigan laughed and swung his arm around Charity's shoulders, pulling her close. "No, not at the present, certainly. But perhaps the future?" With maddening ease, his fingers casually traced at the base of Charity's throat, sending another wash of color into her face. "Shall we be on our way, Charity? It wouldn't do to miss the first act. Good night, Mitch." He nodded his head at Bridie. "Ma'am."
    "Good night, Mitch," Charity whispered. "Stop by anytime, please." She extended her arm to shake Bridie's hand. "Bridie, it was a pleasure. I hope we meet again."
    Mitch watched while Rigan whisked her away. Heads turned as they made their way to the door. Mitch scowled. Nothing but trouble for any woman. Humph-a perfect match.
    Bridie's voice jarred him back. "My, oh my. So that's the infamous Charity O'Connor? Goodness, Boss, rumors don't do her justice. That one could turn the head of the Pope."
    Mitch frowned. "Where the blazes is Sally?" he bellowed, ignoring Bridie's remark.
    Her eyes narrowed. "And dangerous, too, from the look of that vein twitching in your head. Who's the guy? He looks familiar."

    "Rigan Gallagher III." Mitch all but bit the words out.
    Bridie's eyes popped. "No joke? So that's Old Man Gallagher's black-sheep son? Sweet saints above-handsome as the devil and all that money too."
    "He's no good."
    "For you? Or for Charity?"
    Mitch sneered. "He's nothing but heartbreak for any woman."
    Bridie paused, then took a deep breath. "But she's not just any woman, is she, Mitch?"
    Sally descended upon the table, her cheeks puffing with heat. "Sorry about the wait. There's some sort of company meeting in the back slamming away kegs of ale like it was sarsaparilla. Ready to order?"
    "Just bring me another ginger ale, Sally. I'm not hungry."
    Bridie looked up. "Sally, bring us two plates of crubeens, a side of champ, and some of your best brown soda bread. And I'll have another Guinness."
    "Sit tight; I'll dish it right up for ye." She scooted away, disappearing through the maze of tables into the kitchen.
    Bridie crossed her arms and rested them on the table. "She's not, is she?"
    He looked up, the whites of his eyes burning. "Not what?"
    "Just any woman?"
    He leaned in. "She's a spoiled brat who uses her beauty to get what she wants. She ruined my life once. It won't happen again." He fairly spit the words in Bridie's face.
    "And you had nothing to do with it, I suppose."
    He slammed his fist on the table, causing her to jump. "So help me, Bridie, I'd fire you right now if I didn't think Michael would cinch me up."
    The burn in her eyes matched what he felt in his gut. "All I'm saying is, don't be laying all the blame on her for hanging you up. You're the fool who gave her the rope."

    "Stay out of it, Bridie; I'm warning you."
    "I will not. At least not until you admit she's under your skin."
    "You're out of your mind. No one's under my skin."
    "She was once. Enough to change the course of your life."
    "She's a kid."
    Bridie cocked a brow. "Not from where I was sitting. How old?"
    He glared. "Almost twenty ... going on sixteen."
    Her forehead puckered. "Oooh ... that is rather young. What are you again? Thirty-five, almost thirty-six?"
    Mitch looked up with a glare meant to singe.
    Bridie ignored it. "Faith was twenty when you fell in love with her."
    "She's nothing like Faith."
    Bridie reached across the table to take his hand in hers, her voice a near whisper. "Nobody is. But there's a reason it didn't work out."
    He grunted. "Yeah, there's a reason, all right. A goldenhaired vixen, five foot four."
    "No, I mean 'a reason,' like maybe Faith wasn't the one."
    Mitch rubbed his jaw with the side of his hand. "Yeah, well,