The Replacement Wife (4 page)

Reese grabbed Deirdre's arm too roughly for her liking. “Come on. Let's go.”

Finally, Reese's girlfriend spoke up. “You're leaving? I thought we were gonna hang.”

“Sorry, babe. I gotta take my sister home. I'll call you later.”

The girlfriend sucked her teeth and gave Deirdre an evil glare. “You better.”

“You don't have to do this, man. I'll make sure she gets home okay,” Moe said.

Reese narrowed his eyes and gave a tight head shake. “This is my sister. I know how you roll. Stay away from her.”

Still holding on to Deirdre, Reese pulled her toward the door. She looked back at Moe, wishing he would rescue her from her brute of a brother. Deirdre had to go with Reese—there was no way she could let him go home without her. He'd tell their dad on her.

Once they were in Reese's car, he started yelling. “What are you thinking, Dee? Do you know what happens to girls like you at those kinds of parties?”

Deirdre ignored him. He wasn't her daddy.

“For real, Dee. You trying to be a baby mama out here?”

“I know you are not talking. Are you trying to have a baby mama out here?”

Reese didn't answer the question as he sped back toward the safety of their mansion.

Deirdre gasped when she saw her father's Benz in the garage. It was the car he'd driven to the yacht party. She knew because she'd watched him as he drove off, and he was definitely still awake because the barracuda's Lexus was parked in the circular drive. Chloe never spent the night, but sometimes their father drove her home. He hardly ever went to pick Chloe up for their outings, which in Deirdre's opinion said something about their relationship, and it wasn't something good.

“Reese, Daddy is still up . . .”

“Good. I need to tell him where you been hanging out.” Deirdre shook her head in confusion. “Reese, you were there too.”

“Totally different.”

“Why you gotta be a snitch?”

“ 'Cause you my little sister, and you not about to be a ho out here. If I hadn't been there, Moe would've had you in the back room.”

Deirdre jumped out of the car and slammed the door. If Reese was planning to snitch, she wasn't going to give him the pleasure. She was going to walk into the house and deal with her dad herself.

Although their mansion was huge, there was only one way upstairs, and that was the big double staircase. Unfortunately, the main parlor was the highest-traffic area of the home.

All of Deirdre's boldness faded when she saw her father pacing the floor a few feet away from her. He hadn't noticed her sneak in, but Reese was on her heels, so it was only a matter of moments before her life was over.

“Who is that? Reese?” Quentin asked when he heard Deirdre try to tiptoe upstairs.

“No. It's me, Daddy.” Deirdre's voice shook as her father stormed out of the sitting room with Chloe on his heels.

“You were out at this hour? Where have you been?”

Deirdre's first inclination was to lie, but she knew that would never work. “I was hanging with Moe, at his cousin's house in Decatur.”

“I must be in the
Twilight Zone
or something. Did my sixteen-year-old daughter just tell me she went out with a boy without my permission? Are you out of your mind?”

Chloe followed Quentin and gave Deirdre an irritated glare. Deirdre was sure she had interrupted some conversation about something Chloe wanted to buy—with her father's money.

When Deirdre didn't say anything, Quentin continued, “No child of mine is gonna be out in the street at night like she's tricking for dollars.”

Reese walked through the door and gave his sister a sympathetic look. Deirdre wondered if he had forgotten, while he was planning his snitch festival, how their father acted when he was angry.

“Dad, she wasn't doing anything bad.”

“You were with her?”

“We just kind of ended up at the same place, I guess.”

Quentin lifted both hands to the sky. Deirdre wondered if he was praying. “So both of my kids are hanging out in the hood?”

“Quentin, babe, maybe you're overreacting. Everyone is safe. Didn't you ever do anything like this when you were their age?” Chloe said, while stroking Quentin's back.

Quentin shrugged off Chloe's touch. “These are my children. I didn't ask for your input.”

“I was just trying to . . . help.”

“You're not helping,” Quentin said.

“Well, since I'm not part of this little family affair, I'm going home. Will you at least walk me to my car?” Chloe asked. “It will give you some much-needed time to calm down.”

Quentin said, “Yes, of course. Deirdre and Reese, if you know what's good for you, you'll be out of my sight by the time I get back in here. And don't even think about going out anywhere.”

Deirdre pouted as her father walked out the door with Chloe. The daggers coming from Chloe's eyes could have cut through a boulder.

“You so stupid,” Reese said. “I wasn't really gonna tell on you.”

“Whatever, Reese. How was I supposed to know that?”

Deirdre ran the rest of the way up the huge staircase and into her bedroom. She threw herself onto her bed and bawled into her pillow. No one understood what she was going through. If she just had someone who would speak up for her. She knew it would be different if her mother had lived. Everything would be different.

But Deirdre knew, just as her dad and her siblings knew, that there was no amount of crying, praying, or shouting that would bring her back.

M
ontana belted out the solo to “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers as if it had been written just for her. Even though it was only rehearsal, the entire choir at Freedom of Life Church had gone into worship from the rousing rendition of the song, and even though Montana was feeling pretty hopeless, she had to admit that singing always made her feel better.

The day had started out all wrong, with a notice to move within three days plastered on her door first thing in the morning. She'd begged her landlord to give her more time to come up with the rent, but it had been a month and a half since she'd had any money to give. She'd been laid off from her job three months ago and had yet to find another one. If only that call center had waited just a few more months until she'd gotten her teaching certificate before they'd sent her packing, then she might have been able to rebound more quickly.

Anyway, in a few days she was going to be homeless in Atlanta, the last thing she'd ever wanted. Of course, she could go home to her family in Ohio, but she was getting too old to keep running back home every time she lost a job—or a man.

She needed encouragement, and a miracle.

When the choir director, Brother Odom, asked for any prayer requests, the usually timid Montana jumped out of her seat. She was desperate for a breakthrough, and that desperation broke down every bit of her shyness and inhibition.

“What's your prayer request, Montana? Or do you have a testimony?” Brother Odom asked.

Montana shook her head sadly, and before she began to speak, tears started to trickle down her face. “Maybe soon I'll have a testimony, but right now I'm in the middle of a test. Some of you know I've been unemployed for three months. I do receive unemployment, but I'm about to be evicted from my apartment. Y'all, please pray for me. I have a few job interviews lined up, but I won't be able to get a substitute teaching job until the beginning of next school year. I need this like yesterday.”

Montana slowly eased herself back down in her seat. She felt lighter after sharing her struggle. The hugs and words of prayer and encouragement helped too.

After rehearsal, Montana's friend Emoni, the daughter of the pastor, came up to her and gave her a hug. “Girl, you sang that song, for real! You know that God's got you, right?”

Montana nodded and hugged her friend back. There was no one in Atlanta that Montana was closer to than Emoni, but even she didn't know the extent of Montana's financial problems.

“I know He's got me. It might not feel like it sometimes, but . . .”

“But nothing. Things are going to change for you. I feel it in my spirit,” Emoni said.

“Okay. No buts. I just wish He'd hurry up.”

Emoni stroked Montana's arm lovingly and squeezed her hand. “We're all going to Houlihan's. You want to ride over with us? Trent's going to be there . . .”

Montana rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled. Emoni was always trying to hook her up with someone. The current eligible bachelor was a guy named Trent. He was nice enough, but Montana wasn't attracted to him at all. He was the opposite of everything she liked physically. And while she knew looks weren't everything, they were something. Plus, she didn't have McDonald's money, much less Houlihan's.

“I'm gonna pass, okay? Don't be mad at me.”

Emoni twisted her lips into a frown. “It's Saturday night. Are you just gonna turn into an old maid hermit?”

“Why I gotta be an old maid and a hermit?”

“Come on, girl. I know your money is tight. I'll spot you for dinner.”

The thought of a real meal made Montana's mouth water. She hadn't had a steak in about six months, since her ex-boyfriend Rio had taken her out for a reconciliation dinner.

Rio. Montana's stomach flipped at the thought of him. If she wanted to resolve her financial problems instantly, all she had to do was call Rio and welcome him back into her bedroom. It would be as easy as stepping into a pair of Victoria's Secret panties and teddy.

Montana remembered the day they'd met. It replayed over and over in her mind like a video stuck on repeat.

It was raining that day, but it was still scorching hot. A downpour on day four in a week of record-breaking temperatures. Montana was on her way home from an interview for a job she was sure she wouldn't get, but she'd stopped at Caribou Coffee for her favorite drink, a Caramel High Rise with a pump of cherry. The drink would make her feel better and give her the energy to comb the Internet classifieds again when she got home.

When she stepped into the line for coffee, Montana slipped on a puddle of rainwater and fell directly into Rio's arms. She'd been embarrassed. He'd given her a smile that melted her heart. Then he said the words that changed the next three years of her life.

“Don't you think you should learn my name before you fall for me?”

That witty humor had captured her attention from the very start. Not to mention his smooth, buttery-gold skin and huge, expressive eyes. She'd starting falling for him that very moment.

Rio had been Montana's first grown-up relationship. Before him, her boyfriends were as sporadic as her jobs. She'd dated a string of guys in college and beyond, but none of those relationships had ever gone past a few months and a few rolls in the hay. She hated to think of the number of guys she'd been with; it wasn't a number she was proud of. When she hit the age of thirty and had to count her partners on more than her two hands, she knew she was tired of being a “get around” girl, but how could she know that the next guy wouldn't be the one?

Montana hesitated for several dates before finally acquiescing and giving Rio the goodies. To her surprise, he stayed. Rio told Montana that he wanted to be monogamous, and that one day they would get married.

Three years later they were still dating, and halfway shacking. Montana's family would have a fit if they knew. Shoot, as far as she knew, they all thought she was still a virgin.

When Montana joined Freedom of Life, Bishop Prentiss had preached a series for single women called “Far Above Rubies.” Montana remembered going home and telling Rio she couldn't sleep with him anymore until they were married. His response broke her heart.

He'd said, “You can't just cut a brotha off like that. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game. If I had known you were going to go celibate, I wouldn't have taken your phone number.”

And that night she'd slept with him like she'd never heard the message.

But God kept pulling at her heartstrings, and she'd finally broken up with Rio and rededicated her life to the Lord. They had been practically living together, although he maintained his own apartment. And since Rio was an engineer who clocked a six-figure income, he supplemented Montana's income and kept her afloat.

It broke Montana's heart that Rio wouldn't respect her newfound faith. She loved him and had imagined walking down the aisle to meet him at the altar. She had seen herself having his children.

When she cut Rio off for good, she knew it was going to be tough financially, but she'd budget, eat sparingly, and stop having her specialty cups of coffee. She didn't have to be Rio's kept woman—God would keep her.

Tonight, in fact, God was gonna hook her up with a nice steak dinner.

“Okay, I'll go!” Montana said. “But do not try to hook me up with Trent. He is not my type. Just because you and Darrin are getting married doesn't mean we all have to pair off.”

Emoni raised her eyebrows. “Girl, I've been wearing this engagement ring for two years. If we don't hurry up down the aisle my daddy is gonna start interviewing new suitors.”

“Well, then, you need to stop being a runaway bride. I know it's all you.”

Emoni waved over at her very fine fiancé. “You're right. It is all me. I just want to be sure. Come on and ride with me. I'll bring you back to the church to get your car when we're done.”

“Okay.” Montana was glad Emoni offered to drive. Her gas had to stretch until her unemployment check came on Wednesday, and she didn't have any extra for recreational trips.

As they were leaving, Estelle Chambers stopped Montana and Emoni. Emoni hugged and kissed the older woman, who was very good friends with her parents. Montana had heard that the Chambers family had helped found the church with their fortune.

“Sweetie, can I talk to you for a moment?” Montana was shocked when Estelle took her hand and pulled her away from Emoni.

Emoni winked at Montana. “I'll be waiting outside.”

Montana watched Emoni walk away and wished she'd stayed for the conversation. Montana barely knew Estelle, and having a one-on-one conversation with an almost stranger caused Montana's heart to race.

“Mother Chambers, can I help you with something?”

Estelle burst into laughter. “Girl, if you call me Mother Chambers one more time, I don't think we'll ever be friends.”

“I'm so sorry. I didn't mean . . .”

“It's all right. I'm joking. But please call me Estelle.”

Montana nodded. “Okay.”

“I was listening to you testify, and I'm so glad you did. I came to choir rehearsal tonight with a heart to bless somebody.”

“You did?” Montana felt her heart leap. This lady was rich. She could solve all of Montana's problems with one check.

“I did. I'm hiring for a position in my home, and I was wondering if you'd be interested.”

Montana swallowed twice. Was Estelle about to ask her to be a maid in that big old historical mansion?

“A position.”

“Yes. Have you ever been a nanny?”

Montana sighed with relief. Estelle didn't want her to clean her floors; she wanted her to be a . . . wait. Estelle's grandchildren were hellions, and none of them seemed young enough for a nanny.

“I've never been a nanny, but I could sure try. Would it be for your grandchildren?”

Estelle smiled. “Yes, and I guess it isn't really a nanny that I'm looking for. I don't know the name for it now, but years ago they used to be called governesses. I just need someone who can assist with their homework and make sure they aren't tearing down Atlanta. My grandchildren aren't babies, but they're missing a woman's touch.”

“They have you, don't they?”

“They do, but as much as I hate to admit it, I'm old. They need someone they can relate to. Do you want the job or not?”

She had never been a nanny or a governess a day in her life, but wouldn't it be like teaching? How could she say no? What if this was a blessing? What if this was God not leaving the righteous forsaken?

“Oh, I forgot to mention, it's a live-in job, so part of your compensation package would be room and board,” Estelle said.

Montana felt tears well up again for the second time this evening. She sat down on the closest pew, because her knees were shaking so bad that she could barely stand. She was going from her apartment to the Chambers mansion? In Buckhead? The one you couldn't even see from the street because there was so much land in front of it? The one that looked like a European castle?

“So, do you want the job?”

Montana nodded. “Yes, I do, but I think I should say that I'll be getting my teaching certificate soon. I hope to teach elementary school in a year or so, so it would be short term.”

Estelle smiled. “A year? That sounds like just the right amount of time. Here's my address. Stop by tomorrow after church. We'll do all the paperwork and the background check next week, but I want you to meet my son.”

“Your son?”

“Yes, the children's father. You've only been a member here for a few years, so you've never met him.”

“Thank you so much, Estelle! I will definitely see you tomorrow.”

Montana looked down at the card in her hand and smiled. How could she have ever doubted God?