The Replacement Wife (7 page)

“W
hat was all that about?” Quentin asked as he floored the gas pedal in his drop-top red Benz. He was driving like he was angry.

“What was all what about?”

Chloe answered his question with a question in an attempt to stall. She didn't know why she'd introduced herself to that nanny as Quentin's future wife. The words had just fallen out of her mouth before she could stop them. There was something about that girl that had immediately caused her antennae to rise. Maybe it was her vixen-like curves, or maybe it was the way Quentin's kids were falling all over her like a bunch of lost puppies. Or perhaps it was the fact that Estelle seemed to like Montana.

All of it added up to the nanny being a threat.

“Future wife, Chloe? Where'd that come from?”

Chloe cleared her throat, knowing she'd have to give an answer. “Well . . . one day, right? Aren't you ever planning on getting remarried?”

“I mean . . . I don't know. I haven't thought about it too much. Are you unhappy with me? I thought we were having fun.”

“We are! I enjoy our time together.”

“Then what is it?”

“Sometimes I think about getting old, you know? We're young now, but I don't know. Maybe I think our fun might have an expiration date. And then what's going to happen to me?”

There was a long, uncomfortable silence, as if Quentin was carefully choosing his words before responding. Chloe felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach. This wasn't good.

“Look, I'm not in a hurry to get to the altar, Quentin,” Chloe said when Quentin's pause went on for too long. “I guess I just saw that curvy nanny and got jealous that she's going to be under your roof and I'm not.”

Quentin squeezed Chloe's hand. “Don't be jealous, Chloe. I had nothing to do with hiring her, and if anyone has an expiration date, it's her. My kids are going to grow up soon.”

Chloe smiled, and Quentin kissed her hand.

“What matters most,” Quentin continued, “is that we're still having a great time. I thank you for making these past five years bearable.”

Chloe's heart warmed at Quentin's words. He'd never acknowledged that she'd stood in the gap for him all this time, during his grieving. She wondered if he'd ever move past it. She wondered if there would ever be a place in his heart for her.

“You're welcome.”

Quentin let go of her hand. “All right, then. I feel like eating something incredibly bad for me. You want steak? Pasta?”

“Whatever you want, babe,” Chloe said, a little bit disappointed that their tender moment had passed.

Quentin blasted music from the speakers of his car. A Jay-Z song. Not really Chloe's type of music, but as long as Quentin was in a good mood he was in a spending mood. Mama needed a new handbag.

C
hloe sat on her leather sofa, stroking her new Louis Vuitton bag. It was one of the new ones for the summer season and would draw many compliments and envious stares from women who couldn't afford one. And Quentin had purchased it without blinking.

So why didn't it make her feel any better?

Maybe it was because after they were done dining and shopping, Quentin had taken her back to his mansion to get her car and then followed her back to her condo in Vinings. He hadn't asked her to stay over and spend more time, and he hadn't offered to stay at her place. He'd kissed her on the cheek and made sure she got inside, and then he'd left. Just like he always did.

Chloe wondered if she would've even seen Quentin at all if she hadn't gone to the mansion after church. He hadn't called her to make any plans, even though it was a beautiful day.

Sometimes Chloe felt like she was chasing Quentin. Like she'd been chasing him for five years. She wondered if he'd ever allow himself to be caught.

She remembered their very first conversation. It was at the mansion during the repast following his wife's funeral. Chloe had waited patiently for everyone to pay their respects. The crowd had thinned, and only a few remained. Quentin sat in the sitting room that everyone said was Chandra's favorite room in the house.

Chloe recalled walking over the threshold into that room and it feeling surreal. There was a moment of hesitation, because of what she was about to do. Some people might've thought she was the lowest type of woman, but she'd reasoned with herself. His wife was gone to heaven, not on vacation. She wasn't coming back. As far as she was concerned, she was staking a claim on property that was no longer claimed.

“Excuse me, Quentin?” she'd said.

Quentin's first glance at her had been through tear-filled eyes. She'd never seen anyone look so sad. “Yes?”

“I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. My name is Chloe. I knew Chandra in college. She was beautiful.”

“Were you good friends?”

“Not good friends, but we knew each other around campus, and in some society circles. She was always a beautiful spirit.”

“Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.”

“Listen, I'd like to come and check on you and your children. Would that be all right?”

There had been a weak smile from Quentin. “Sure.”

“It's nice to meet you, Quentin. I wish it had been under different circumstances.”

Quentin had looked at the floor then. She'd seen a tear splash to the ground. Finally he'd looked up again.

“It's nice to meet you too, Chloe.”

And then Chloe had done something neither she nor Quentin had expected. She'd stepped nearer to where he was sitting and hugged him tightly. He'd sobbed into her chest for a few minutes, and she'd held him. She'd been a stranger but had become an instant friend.

“I'm so sorry,” Quentin had said.

Chloe remembered how she'd gone into her purse and had given him a tissue. “You buried your wife today. You're supposed to be sad.”

She'd patted him on the back and left him then, sure the seeds had been planted for their future. But five years had gone by, and the only fruit had been gifts, vacations, and thrilling times in the bedroom.

There was something about that nanny that made Chloe feel a sense of urgency. Maybe Montana was planting new seeds over her failed crop. Maybe she was planning her own harvest. Whatever it was, Chloe didn't plan to go down without a fight.

Q
uentin didn't want to admit it, but something had stirred deep within him when he'd seen Montana sitting in what had been Chandra's favorite room, staring out the window at those ducks who'd laid claim to the lake.

Even though he'd spent the afternoon eating and shopping with Chloe, and the night in Chloe's arms, he hadn't been able to shake the image of Montana from his mind.

He wasn't lying when he said Montana didn't look like a nanny. She looked like a petite package of fineness. Especially that headful of wild, auburn-colored curls. The carefree hairdo was begging to be touched and dying to be fondled. And the rose Montana had pinned to the side of her 'do complemented the style perfectly.

Montana's smooth caramel skin had the translucent glow that you see on babies, innocents, and very happy people. But while her face seemed innocent, her body belonged to a grown woman. She was curvy in all the right places, but fit and trim where she needed to be. Compared to Chloe's hard athletic body, Montana's was lush and inviting.

Quentin pushed the thoughts of Montana far from his mind. He had a good thing in Chloe. She had class and style, and she was a freak in the bedroom. But most of all, she didn't require a commitment. Well, she hadn't up until this point. Now, all of a sudden, she was talking marriage.

Quentin preferred swimming in shallow water when it came to the women in his life. It was for the best—no one would ever replace Chandra in his heart. There would never be another Mrs. Chambers.

Quentin had left Chloe's condo in the wee hours of the morning, as he always did. He never spent the night. Quentin's lifestyle was one thing, but he didn't want his children, especially his son, to think that what he had was the ideal thing. He wanted them to find love like he had with their mother.

After his morning run was complete, Quentin jogged back to the house, his head clearer than when he'd started. The quiet and fresh air always had that effect on him, so it was how he always started his day.

Quentin entered the house through the kitchen patio door, where he found the subject of his thoughts—Montana. She was wearing a cute pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, and drinking a glass of juice.

“Good morning, Mr. Chambers. Is it warm enough out there for me to go without a jacket?”

“Good morning. It's warm enough if you're running. Are you?”

Montana laughed. “No, I'll be taking a stroll, but not running. The grounds are so beautiful! I've never lived anywhere like this.”

Montana's excitement tickled Quentin. She was also very cute when her eyes lit up like that every time she laughed. He knew he should try not to, but Quentin was enjoying the view.

“Well, it is very pretty this morning, but I think you might need a jacket. Enjoy your walk.”

“Okay, Mr. Chambers, I will.”

“Will you please call me Quentin?”

Montana shook her head as she pulled on a jacket that matched her yoga pants. “Nope.”

“Well, if we're not on a first-name basis, then maybe I should call you Ms. Ellis.”

She grinned. “Suit yourself, Mr. Chambers. I'll answer to both.”

Quentin watched Montana walk through the door. She smiled and waved at him on her way out. He felt a little silly waving back, but he did anyway.

“Hey, Dad,” Deirdre said, as she stomped into the kitchen in her school uniform. Her friendly tone immediately put Quentin on the defensive and erased all his thoughts of Montana.

“Hey. You need a ride to school?”

“No. Reese is dropping me off.”

“Cool.”

Deirdre laughed as she took a cereal bowl out of the cabinet. “Dad! Can I talk to you about something serious?”

“No.”

“Daddy! When are you going to let me off punishment? I've learned my lesson.”

Quentin leaned back on the counter and folded his arms across his chest. “Really? What lesson have you learned?”

“To always let you know where I'll be and to not sneak out. Now that we have a nanny, we don't really have to worry about me leaving Danielle here with the twins. She'll always be supervised.”

Quentin shook his head and sighed. Deirdre had apparently learned nothing. He was upset she had snuck out, but he was more angry that she was hanging out with thugs in Decatur. He knew that she was getting older and that boys were now part of the equation, but why couldn't she pick a nice guy from parents with money? The family absolutely knew enough of them.

“You don't even know what the lesson is, so how could you have learned it?”

“Daddy! I have learned! You can't keep me on punishment forever.”

“Yes, I can.”

Deirdre huffed and pouted. “What about Reese? We were at the same house party. He's not on lockdown.”

“Reese is older than you.”

“So he can hang out in Decatur because he's older?”

Quentin nodded. “Yep. He can. And he did the right thing by getting you out of there. I'm proud of him for having your back, because apparently you don't have enough sense to have your own back.”

Deirdre slammed her hand down on the counter, causing cereal and milk to spill out of her bowl.

“This isn't fair! You make me go to an all-girls school, and you're not making the twins go there. And now you're locking me up like I'm a nun.”

Quentin calmly grabbed a bottle of water from the pantry while Deirdre continued her outburst. Nothing she said would change his mind about that thug she liked, so she was wasting her breath.

“I think you hate me! You hate me because I look like Mom!” Deirdre yelled.

Now it was Quentin's turn to slam the bottled water down on the counter.

“You don't get to use your mother to win an argument. I'm done talking about this. You're on punishment until I say so.”

Quentin watched Deirdre storm out of the kitchen and let out a tired sigh. One thing she was right about was how much she looked like her mother. Deirdre was Chandra's twin—in looks, but not in temperament.

Chandra had been Quentin's partner with the children. The more disconnected he became from Deirdre, the more he missed Chandra's levelheaded calmness.

Quentin thought about Montana and her peaceful, sweet, sunny disposition. He wondered if she'd have an effect on Deirdre. He hoped so, because something had to give. If not, Deirdre was in danger of not surviving her teenage years.

I
t was nearing the end of Montana's first week with the Chambers family, but Montana still felt like she was interviewing for the job. This afternoon, Ms. Levy had invited her into the kitchen under the guise of having an afternoon cup of coffee, but Montana quickly found out it was really a quiz.

“So are you ready to handle the pick-up and drop-off schedule on your own?” Ms. Levy asked.

Montana nodded slowly as she tried to remember it all. “Madison has dance at the studio downtown, and Morgan has soccer at her middle school. Danielle needs to be dropped off at her piano lesson. I stay at the lesson with her, because Danielle will be done first. Madison and Morgan get out at the same time, but I pick up Morgan, and Madison gets dropped off at practice by her friend's mother.”

Ms. Levy paused for a long moment with one of her eyebrows raised. Montana held her breath waiting for the woman's answer. She'd been with the Chambers family for only a week, and she wanted to stay on.

“I'm impressed,” Ms. Levy finally said.

Montana let out a sigh of relief, but she wasn't off the hook yet. That was only the first day of the kids' schedule. She had the rest of the week to remember.

“It seems like these kids need a chauffeur instead of a nanny,” Montana said, after rattling off two more days of the schedule.

Ms. Levy shook her head. “What they need is a mama. As much as I love Quentin and Estelle, they are making a mistake with these children. They're trying to keep them busy every moment of the day just to keep them from realizing they don't have a mama.”

Montana didn't know how to reply to this. She hadn't been around the family long enough to truly have an opinion. So she decided to remain quiet.

“And that Chloe ain't got any mama qualifications,” Ms. Levy continued. She sucked her teeth to punctuate her sentiment.

It was true, Montana was curious about Chloe and Quentin's relationship. Every time Montana and Quentin were in a room together, she got nervous flutters in her stomach. And every time, she chided herself for being attracted to another woman's boyfriend. Montana knew she couldn't let herself go down that fantasy road.

“She might not have any mama skills, but she sure knows how to land a man, right?” Montana asked. “She's his future wife, right? That's how she introduced herself.”

Ms. Levy scoffed. “I guarantee that was the first time Quentin had heard about that. If she's planning a wedding, she's planning it all by herself.”

Estelle walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. Montana bit her lip nervously, wondering how much Estelle had heard. She didn't want Estelle to think she was snooping into the family affairs.

“Who's planning what all by herself?” Estelle finally asked after neither Montana nor Mrs. Levy spoke up.

“We talking 'bout Ms. Chloe,” Ms. Levy said, “and her future wife declaration.”

Estelle burst into laughter, and Montana breathed a sigh of relief.

“I thought you all were talking about this fund-raising ball Quentin is having for the foundation.”

“Foundation?” Montana asked.

Ms. Levy replied, “Yes. Mr. Chambers takes care of terminally ill cancer patients in a big country house outside of Douglasville. It's called Transitions.”

Montana couldn't hide her surprise. She was very impressed by this. But she was saddened at the same time. It made her want to get to know Quentin better, and she knew that was out of the question.

“Yes, my son's pet project that he insists on running himself,” Estelle said.

“I think it's awesome!” Montana said. “It must be very rewarding for him.”

Estelle inhaled deeply and exhaled a heavy breath. “What he does for those women is wonderful, but I don't know if it's rewarding. I think he's reliving his pain over and over again.”

Montana considered this and understood Estelle's sadness. Quentin surrounded himself with the dying, and life was happening all around him. Especially with his children.

The doorbell rang, and both Montana and Estelle looked at Ms. Levy. She frowned at both women.

“I suppose it is my job to answer the door, but I get sick of looking at Chloe, the duchess of bougie.”

Estelle and Montana burst into laughter at Ms. Levy's joke. After a few moments, Ms. Levy returned, with Chloe in tow.

“Mrs. Chambers, I present to you Ms. Brooks.”

Chloe shook her head and rushed over to Estelle to hug her. “Will you please stop announcing me like that?”

Ms. Levy pursed her lips together tightly. “I will if you ever become a member of . . .”

“The family,” Chloe interjected. “I know.”

Chloe stretched her arms in Montana's direction. Montana lifted her eyebrows in surprise, not exactly sure what she should do. Then Chloe wiggled her fingertips in a “come here” motion. Did she want a hug?

Montana rose from her seat and hugged Chloe. It felt weird, but Chloe was being so nice that she couldn't resist. Maybe it was best if she was friends with Chloe. It just might keep her from fantasizing about Quentin.

“Ladies, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to study the children's pick-up and drop-off schedules. I'm on call this afternoon, and Ms. Levy is going to be so disappointed in me if I don't get it done.”

Chloe pouted. “I thought you were going to stay and help us. I'd love to have another perspective, and maybe a tie breaker in case Estelle and I can't agree.”

“I would volunteer to be your tie breaker, but I've got Bible study to prepare for,” Ms. Levy said, as she placed a previously prepared tray of sweet tea, sandwiches, and cookies at the center of the table, and turned to leave.

Chloe's eyes pleaded with Montana. Montana felt sorry for Chloe. She eased back down at the kitchen table.

“Okay, I will stay for a while,” Montana said. “In a few hours I have to pick up Danielle, though.”

“We'll be done before then,” Chloe said. “I promise.”

Estelle said, “So, Chloe, I'm excited to see what you've already come up with.”

Chloe's eyes widened with surprise. “The planning is absolutely in its infancy, Estelle. I wanted to get your thoughts first instead of going down a wrong path and having to change everything later.”

“Change everything? How unreasonable do you think I am?” Estelle asked.

Montana pinched herself to keep from giggling at Chloe's facial expression. There was probably no safe way to answer Estelle's question, so Chloe just stared at Estelle and blinked.

When Chloe didn't reply, Estelle asked, “How much money are we trying to raise with this event?”

“I was thinking that if it's grand enough we can raise two hundred fifty thousand dollars. That seems like a safe number.”

“I can get that amount by calling up a few friends and asking them for donations,” Estelle said. “If we're going to go all out for this event, we should be thinking around one million.”

“Well . . . okay, if you say so,” Chloe replied. “I just wanted to give us a realistic goal.”

Montana was confused. She knew the Chambers family was beyond rich. So why were they holding a fund-raiser for a million dollars?

“Can I ask a question? I hope I'm not being rude, but can't you just write a check for the million dollars and forget about the party?”

Estelle threw her head back and laughed. “Of course I could. And truthfully, everything at Transitions is currently being paid for by Quentin. Some of those women have medical bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars when they get there.”

“But Atlanta's elite like to have parties,” Chloe said.

“We party for a cause, and this is a great one,” Estelle said. “What is the theme for the ball?”

Chloe bounced in her seat. She was clearly excited about this part of it. “It should be a masquerade ball! At Transitions the women always have to wear a figurative mask to hide their pain and suffering. We will honor their struggle with our masks and donations.”

“I like that,” Montana said. “And masquerade balls are always fun to plan.”

Estelle cleared her throat. “They are fun, indeed. What is your budget for the ball?”

Chloe flipped through a few pages in her little notebook. “The biggest expense will be the catering, of course, since we don't have to worry about a venue. I was thinking close to fifty thousand for the dinner with onsite chefs and wait staff. Also, the decorations will be expensive, but I've reached out to a couple of art and jewelry galleries that are willing to provide some tasteful pieces for our use.”

“And how do you intend to cover these expenses?” Estelle asked.

“The cost per table will be ten thousand dollars, and individual tickets will be one thousand. We will also have a jewelry auction and a rich eligible bachelor auction.”

Montana lifted her eyebrows at this suggestion. It would be nice to rent a prince for a day. “Do you think Mr. Chambers would participate?”

“I don't know,” Chloe said. “He's not really a bachelor.”

Estelle said, “But it would be fun. It's his organization, and I'm sure some cougar would love to drop a mint to be seen on the town with Quentin. It would be harmless.”

“I suppose . . . ,” Chloe said. She did not seem pleased with the line of reasoning.

Montana regretted speaking her mind.

“Someone would have to convince him first,” Estelle said.

“Of course, I'll do it,” Chloe replied, although she didn't look the least bit thrilled about the task.

“What about flowers?” Montana asked, trying to change the touchy subject. “I love flowers. Wouldn't it be lovely to have different arrangements in various stages—from bud to full bloom? It could also be symbolic of transition.”

Estelle clapped her hands. “That is perfect! I just love that idea, and I'm sure Quentin will agree.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes at Montana, and Montana swallowed. The look was so subtle and quick that Montana wondered if she was imagining it. Estelle was gushing over her idea when she'd been indifferent, at best, to Chloe's suggestions. Maybe she should've let Ms. Levy stay instead.

“I'm sorry,” Montana said. “Am I talking too much?”

“Absolutely not. That's why I asked you to stay, I want your suggestions,” Chloe said.

Montana smiled. “Okay, well feel free to let me know when I'm out of line.”

“I will let you know,” Chloe replied, in a tone that let Montana know she most certainly would let her know.

Estelle's cell phone rang. She looked down at the caller ID and smiled. “This is First Lady Prentiss. Please excuse me for a moment. You all continue with the planning.”

Estelle left Montana and Chloe sitting across from one another at the kitchen table. Montana grabbed a cookie from the tray and took a bite to keep from putting her foot in her mouth again. Chloe simply stared at Montana, as if she was assessing her. It made Montana uncomfortable, but she thought maybe Chloe wanted her to feel that way.

“So tell me about yourself,” Chloe said. “Since it looks like we're going to be working so closely together, we should probably get to know each other.”

“Um . . . well . . . okay. I'm a teacher—well, I'm going to be soon. I just have one more test to pass, and then I'll have my certificate. I sing in the choir at church. I'm originally from Ohio, but I've been here in Atlanta since college. What else do you want to know?”

“Are you seeing anyone?” Chloe asked, without a moment's hesitation.

“You mean like a boyfriend? No. Not right now.”

Chloe gave a look of surprise. “Really? You're so pretty and bubbly and sweet. Why don't you have a boyfriend? Someone should be ready to give you a bunch of babies.”

Montana looked down at her lap. “I can't have my own children. I guess that's why I decided to be a teacher.”

“Well, just because you're going to be a teacher doesn't mean you have to be an old maid. You can still get a husband, so you can . . . you know . . .”

Montana burst into laughter. “I said I wanted to be a teacher. Not a nun. And I'm not a pure maiden, unfortunately. I wish I was, though.”

“Oh, honey, most of us left behind that purity when we stepped on a college campus. I'm sure God's forgiven you.”

“He has definitely done that. He's also going to send me a husband someday. You're so lucky to have someone like Mr. Chambers.”

“Yes, I am. He's right out of a fairy tale, isn't he?”

“He is!” Montana gushed.

Chloe snapped her head to one side. “You sound more excited than I am.”

“Oh no, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that he's a great man. You are blessed to have him.”

“A blessing is a gift. I worked hard for what Quentin and I have,” Chloe said triumphantly. “If ever there was a man who loved his wife, it's Quentin.”

“He must've been devastated when she passed. I can't imagine.”

Chloe nodded. “He was, and I was the one who helped put him back together again. I encouraged him when he wanted to start his foundation, and the children love me. We're a perfect match.”

Montana wasn't sure about the children loving her, but as long as she had Quentin's affection, it would probably fall into place.

“Well, that's wonderful for both of you,” Montana said, not sure how to respond to Chloe's speech.

Chloe nodded emphatically. “But we have to find a guy for you. Do you want someone rich, because I know a few . . . Oh, who am I kidding? Every girl wants a rich man.”