Page 11 of A New Era

Knocking twice, I’m not waiting long when Alannah answers. Her first reaction to me on her doorstep this early is to frown and look out past me to see if any trouble is around.

“You’re up early. Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Everything’s fine. I’m sorry to disturb you but I need a favour and I wanted to catch you before the day began.”

I’ve come to learn Alannah loves to be needed. A smile creeps along her face and she says, “Of course. Name it.”

“I need you to teach me all I need to know to be the president’s old lady.”

Her smile grows even wider. “You better come in.”

She opens the door for me, and I step inside. Cas is sitting at the kitchen table, a steaming hot mug of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in front of him.

“It’s a little early, is Leo in trouble?” he asks.

“No-no, nothing like that. He’s eating breakfast with Rayna. I came to talk with Alannah.”

Relief washes over him and he folds up his newspaper.

“In that case, I’ll leave so you can talk.” He stands and grabs his coffee. He leans in and briefly kisses Alannah before he’s gone, and the front door is clicking shut behind him.

“You sit and I’ll pour us a coffee,” she instructs.

Pulling out a chair, I take a seat and accept the coffee she passes my way before taking a seat across the table from me.

“Is this because I suggested you host a ladies' night?”

“Sort of but I have been thinking and Leo and I were talking last night. Being his wife is going to be more than a normal marriage. I’ve watched you, you’re loved by everyone.”

Her laugh fills the kitchen but it’s not unkind. “You don’t strike me as someone who cares about that sort of thing.”

“I’m not but I don’t want to do something that embarrasses him.”

“That isn’t something you should worry about. There’s no handbook so to speak. With Cas and I, he took care of the club, and I took care of the families. We found a partnership that worked for us, and it has worked.”

A partnership. It’s all I want once we’re married. I’m not a fool to believe a marriage solely lasts on love. I’m ready to give my all to Leo and I believe he feels the same as me or he wouldn’t have asked me to marry him.

“Holly, as long as you’re loyal to Leo and to the club, the rest will fall into place. I promise you that.”

“So no specific do’s or don’ts?”

Her features soften and she cups her mug of coffee.

“The old ladies are our own version of their brotherhood. When Leo’s on a run or busy with the club, it’s the old ladies who will always be there for you to get through any storm. Embrace them and they’ll love you too.”

Frowning, I disagree. “I don’t think the old ladies will see me as they do you.”

Putting her mug down, she reaches across the table and takes hold of my hands.

“Sweetheart, you don’t want to be seen to be like me, they’ll see you for you. Stronger, fiercer, the new president’s old lady of a new era.”

She sparks confidence in me, and I inhale deeply, letting all the paranoia out with my exhale.

“I’ll host a ladies' night.”

“I’m always here if you need me, but I reckon you’re going to be great all on your own. You’ve kept to yourself up till recently, but you’ve had a glimpse of life within the club. The day you marry Leo, you’ll know in your soul who you’re going to be and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Smiling, I say, “Thank you.”

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