Free The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren Page B

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.
    â€œIt 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.
    â€œAnd 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.
    â€œShe 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.
    â€œWho’s planning what all by herself?” Estelle finally asked after neither Montana nor Mrs. Levy spoke up.
    â€œWe talking ’bout Ms. Chloe,” Ms. Levy said, “and her future wife declaration.”
    Estelle burst into laughter, and Montana breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œI thought you all were talking about this fund-raising ball Quentin is having for the foundation.”
    â€œFoundation?” 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.
    â€œYes, my son’s pet project that he insists on running himself,” Estelle said.
    â€œI 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.
    â€œI 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.
    â€œMrs. 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 . . .”
    â€œThe family,” Chloe interjected. “I know.”
    Chloe stretched her arms in Montana’s direction. Montana lifted her eyebrows in surprise,