The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren Page B

you say, Mother. This was all your idea.”
    â€œAnd after Deirdre’s shenanigans you agreed with me.” Montana felt like she should say something, but she didn’t know what, so she looked from Estelle to Quentin with curious glances, hoping they’d remember that she was standing right there in the room with them.
    â€œMontana, I will have Ms. Levy show you around the house, and to your room.”
    Montana’s eyes lit up. “So, I’m hired?”
    â€œYes, honey. If you’ll accept the offer. We’re paying fifty thousand a year, plus room and board. I think that’s fair, don’t you?”
    Fair? That was more money than she’d ever made in her life. Just to watch some children who were half grown already? Montana felt like she should make a counter offer of something lower.
    â€œIt’s very generous. Thank you,” Montana replied.
    Estelle nodded her approval. “I remember your testimony during choir rehearsal. Do we need to send movers to your apartment?”
    Montana blinked back tears of joy. “Yes, ma’am, that would be really, really helpful.”
    â€œWe have lots of storage here if you want to keep your furniture here, or I can have Ms. Levy locate a local storage facility if you don’t feel comfortable with that,” Estelle said.
    Montana was in awe of Estelle. Had she thought of everything?
    â€œBefore she accepts, don’t you think she should meet the children?” Quentin asked.
    Estelle gave him an irritated glance. “Oh, Quentin, I declare. As if they would deter her from accepting this offer. I’ll go and get them, though. It will be love at first sight.”
    â€œMs. Levy can get them, right?” Quentin asked. Montana wondered if he didn’t want to be left alone with her again.
    â€œMs. Levy is off for the afternoon. She is going to visit her aunt in Marietta. I will be right back.”
    Estelle left the room, and Quentin gave Montana a nervous smile. She returned the gesture with what she hoped was a warmer smile than the one Quentin had managed.
    â€œThank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Chambers. You don’t know how badly I need this.”
    He shrugged. “It’s my mother. She probably thinks this is ministry. And you can call me Quentin.”
    Montana shook her head. “I’d rather call you Mr. Chambers. I don’t want the children to think I’m unprofessional.”
    Quentin chuckled. “Sure, that’s fine.”
    Ms. Levy popped her head into the parlor. She was out of her all black and in a colorful shapeless dress. The bun was still there. Montana did not think the dress was an improvement. The black suited her better.
    â€œQuentin, Ms. Chloe has arrived. Should I tell her to join you in here?”
    â€œUm, yes. Of course. Enjoy your afternoon.”
    A few moments later Chloe walked into the room looking stunning in a red sleeveless dress and red pumps. Montana was sure designers had made every piece of her outfit.
    Chloe gave Montana a charitable glance. “Is this a new staff member?”
    Montana’s jaw dropped. She was wearing her Sunday best, and Chloe’s first assumption was that she was the help? True enough, her skirt had come from T.J. Maxx and her blouse from Target, and yes, her comfortable Nine West pumps had been on sale at Ross, but she clearly wasn’t dressed like staff.
    â€œChloe, meet Montana. She’s the new nanny. Montana, meet Chloe. She’s . . .”
    â€œQuentin’s future wife,” Chloe finished his sentence. “I am very glad to meet you.”
    Chloe daintily extended her hand for Montana to shake. Montana responded with a hug. This seemed off-putting to Chloe, who took two steps backward to separate herself.
    â€œWe’re not quite engaged yet, Chloe,” Quentin said with raised eyebrows. Chloe promptly ignored him and continued to smile at Montana.
    Montana said,