Read Online The Reluctant First Lady by Venita Ellick - Free Book Online Page B

his wife had hammered into his heart. He was ready to drop from exhaustion. He’d spent the entire afternoon and into the early night with his advisory team trying to decide the best strategy for dealing with an absentee First Lady. There were other important issues he needed to tackle, but the tyranny of the urgent put the absence of the First Lady at the top of his list.
    Michael reviewed the various options he and his team had discussed about the best way to proceed. Every recommendation seemed rife with its own set of complications. His team had debated the pros and cons of not replacing Ashley as First Lady. But Michael felt strongly that if they didn’t replace her or create a position to handle the duties that had been assumed by past First Ladies, they would be sending the message that the First Lady’s role was unimportant. He definitely didn’t want to set that precedent.
    Richard had suggested his wife stand in for the First Lady. While Michael appreciated the offer, he knew Catherine had a full schedule at Georgetown University, where she taught master classes in molecular and cellular biology. He wasn’t comfortable with that idea or any of the other suggestions that included using other politicians’ wives. He didn’t want to feel obligated to or to be perceived as being influenced by anyone who might step into the role.
    As the discussion continued throughout the afternoon, Michael had become increasingly convinced that the best course of action was to create a new position, a White House director of protocol, a social director, so to speak. Once that decision was made, he and his team began hammering out the parameters and advantages of the new position. The director of protocol would assume the responsibility of being the official White House hostess. Other duties would be added to the job description as needs became known.
    While Michael hated having officially to exclude Ashley from the role that was rightfully hers, it was necessary. Expediency was paramount in order to prove to the American people that regardless of his wife’s decision, his administration would go forth unencumbered and with confidence. The new director of protocol would simply be another job in his administration, nothing more. His job would be to sell the press and the public on the merits of his decision.
    His staff was working on the job description to include language allowing for unanticipated responsibilities. They were aware of the need to coordinate with other positions in Michael’s administration where there might be some overlap of responsibilities. The next step would be to find the right candidate. Michael had someone in mind who might be perfect for the job, but he had been too tired to continue the discussion.
    Michael headed back to the hotel suite, dreading any further confrontations with Ashley. When he closed the door, he was enveloped in silence. There was no sign to indicate the presence of his wife. He did a quick check around the suite and found it empty of her belongings. She’d obviously meant what she said about returning to New York. It was just as well. He’d hit a wall. Any additional battles with Ashley held the potential for disaster.
    His need to unwind superseded every other thought. After taking off his jacket and tie and opening a cold beer, he fell into the cushions of the sofa. He didn’t want to compromise with or accommodate anyone, especially his wife. Then he noticed an envelope on the coffee table. His name was written on the outside in Ashley’s calligraphic handwriting. Just picking up the envelope put a knot in his stomach. He read the note, twice. What did he feel? Angry? Wounded? Indignant? Relieved? Honestly he was too tired to feel much of anything. She was right. There wasn’t anything left to be said between the two of them, at least for now. He was furious with her and was glad she wasn’t there.
    He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been this exhausted. What he’d