Free The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren

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.

CHAPTER 10
    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.
    â€œGood morning, Mr. Chambers. Is it warm enough out there for me to go without a jacket?”
    â€œGood 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.
    â€œWell, it is very pretty this morning, but I think you might need a jacket. Enjoy your walk.”
    â€œOkay, Mr. Chambers, I will.”
    â€œWill you please call me Quentin?”
    Montana shook her head as she pulled on a jacket that matched her yoga pants. “Nope.”
    â€œWell, 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.
    â€œHey, 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.
    â€œHey. You need a ride to school?”
    â€œNo. Reese is dropping me off.”
    â€œCool.”
    Deirdre laughed as she took a cereal bowl out of the cabinet.