Free A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

right. A tour of my fist." He kept going, making a beeline for the double doors.
    Bridie stood up, her mouth hanging open. "Mitch, wait! Where are you going?"
    He shot her a withering look over his shoulder. "Tell Michael I suddenly took ill. Just plain sick to my stomach."
    "But what about Gallagher?"
    Mitch slapped his palm hard against the glass door, flinging it open with a force that rattled the hinges. "Tell him I left to protect his health."
    Bridie looked at Kathleen and Jamie, her shock mirroring their own. "Oh, this is not good," she muttered, "not good at all." Bridie sighed and straightened her shoulders. She glanced in the direction of Michael's office and absently made the sign of the cross. "Dear Lord above, let him be stocked up on aspirin."

    Bridie tossed a stack of proofs on Mitch's desk. Her lips cemented in a stiff line. "Michael left right after you did. Something about a migraine." She frosted him with a cold gaze before turning on her heel to head out the door.
    "Bridie, wait. Was Michael mad?"
    She spun around, her hazel eyes glittering like topaz. "Mad? I haven't seen that many shades of red since my Wesley fell asleep on the Dingle seashore." She launched fleshy arms on ample hips. "He took a bullet for you, Mitch. Gallagher was all over him like summer blight on soggy spuds, screaming he'd have your job and Michael's too."

    Mitch sank lower in his chair, his anger warping into guilt. "Okay, okay, I lost my temper. I'll make it up to him."
    "I hope you get the chance."
    Mitch glanced up. "What do you mean?"
    "I mean Gallagher's gunning for you, Mitch. He made it crystal clear to Michael-and everybody in earshot-that your days are numbered. He'd like nothing better than to see your name in the obits. Swears he's gonna talk to the old man about sending you packing."
    Mitch leaned forward, sweat licking the inside of his collar. "Do you think he means it?"
    Bridie regarded him through narrowed eyes, casually lifting one hand to study her nails. Her lips twitched enough for him to notice. "Could be," she said. "All I know is Michael wants me to write the eulogy."
    Mitch sagged back in the chair with a grin easing across his lips. He fanned his fingers through his hair. "So help me, Bridie, you had my pulse going there for a moment."
    Bridie approached his desk and propped her hands on the smooth oak. "Mitch, it's nothing to let your guard down about. Gallagher hates you."
    "He's always hated me." He wadded a paper and tossed it in the can. "What's new?"
    Bridie straightened. "Charity's new. You made a fool of him."
    "So we're even." He shuffled through a stack of papers, giving Bridie a clear dismissal he knew she'd ignore.
    "Yeah, you're even, all right. Both hypocrites to the core."
    That got his attention. He jolted to his feet, heat sizzling his glare. "What the devil are you talking about? Don't ever put me in the same category with that lowlife."

    Bridie notched her chin, her smile conspicuously absent. "My mistake, Boss. You belong in a category all your own. The one with people who profess to live for God, then do whatever they blimey well please."
    She might as well have tossed cold coffee in his face. He wavered, shock rippling through his veins at the truth of her statement. His pride surged. She would not get the last word.
    "You're out of your mind, old woman. I answer to God, not you."
    Bridie sucked in a deep breath, releasing it slow and easy as she set her jaw. "Yeah, I know. Wonder what God thinks when he says 'forgive' and you tell him no."
    Bridie O'Halloran might be his subordinate in the workplace, but Mitch knew when it came to having the final say, she owned the place, lock, stock, and barrel. She spun on her heel and marched for the door, the last word safely tucked in her pocket. The door slammed behind her and Mitch ground his jaw. He knew she would do it-have the final say-she always did. He blinked. He hated being right.

    Charity propped a finger against her cheek and