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?
CHAPTER 5
“Okay, give me the scoop on the Chambers family.” Montana decided to grill Emoni for information on the way to the restaurant.
Emoni tapped the steering wheel and shrugged. “Well, they’re filthy rich. No, let me take that back. They’re wealthy.”
“And the son? There’s nothing weird going on there, right? Why doesn’t he come to church with the rest of the family?”
“Quentin’s wife, Chandra, died from cancer five years ago. She directed the choir, and he was the minister of music. He was pretty devastated.”
Montana’s lips formed a small O. “So that’s why they need a nanny. I didn’t want to ask what happened to their mother.”
“You’re going to be their nanny?”
Montana nodded. “Estelle just offered me the job, and told me I could move in too.”
Emoni cheered and gave Montana a high five. “God is awesome!”
“Well, let’s see how it’s gonna work out first before you start testifying. What if they don’t like me?”
“What’s not to like? And Quentin is fine! I remember all the girls in the youth choir had a crush on him.”
Montana considered this. “But he’s a widower. Too much baggage.”
“Yeah, you’re right. And he’s got that wretched Chloe as a girlfriend too.”
Montana scrunched her nose at the mention of the socialite, heiress, or whatever she was. Chloe pranced around the church in her designer clothes as if she was blessing everyone with her presence. Montana never could understand people who didn’t come to church for God, but the pews were full of Chloe types who only cared about socializing with the wealthy members of Freedom of Life.
“Well, I wonder why she doesn’t spend time with his kids,” Montana said. “Estelle acted like they needed a female role model or something.”
“Think about it. Would you want that diva being any girl’s role model? Plus, you love kids.”
“I do! It just scares me to have a live-in job. If they don’t like me, then I’m out on the street.”
“They will like you. I promise. And this could be great for you.”
Emoni pulled into Houlihan’s parking lot. It was packed, but that was to be expected on a Saturday night. Montana almost wished she’d stuck to her guns and gone home. They had to be at church early, and she didn’t want to be out all night kicking it. But since she’d let Emoni drive, she was trapped.
The guys were waiting outside the restaurant—Darrin, looking exceptional as usual, with his sidekick Trent. Trent was about five feet tall and loved to sport a tweed fedora, even if it didn’t match his outfit. Instead of making him look hip and trendy, his black-rimmed glasses made him look like an extra from a civil-rights-era movie. Montana took a deep breath and prepared herself for his ridiculous attempts at flirting.
“Montana!”
The voice stopped her in her tracks. It was Rio. It was like she’d thought him up or something. She’d managed to avoid him for six months, but here he was about to witness her being set up with the man of no one’s dreams.
Montana tried to wave from across the parking lot, but Rio was already jogging over. He’d even left his date standing next to his car. What kind of man does that? But then, Rio had always done exactly what he felt like doing at any given moment.
Instead of saying a polite hello, Rio scooped Montana into his arms and spun her around. The smell of his cologne was as dizzying as the spinning. He placed a soft kiss on her neck as he placed her back on the ground. It was not welcome at all. Montana hoped the scowl on her face communicated as much.
“Montana. I have missed you, girl.”
“How have you been, Rio?” Montana asked, avoiding his declaration.
He cocked his head to one side and grinned. “Lonely. Why don’t you let me come and see you?”
Montana panicked and then glanced over at Darrin and Trent. “Um . . . my new boyfriend wouldn’t appreciate that.”
Rio followed Montana’s line of sight and focused in on Darrin. “I guess he’s all right if you like that pretty model, Boris Kodjoe–lookin’ type brotha.”
Emoni cleared her throat. “That is my fiancé. Montana’s . . . boyfriend . . . is the other one.”
Rio’s jaw dropped when he let his gaze fall on Trent. “Stop playing, Montana.”
“What? He respects my faith, so he’s exactly what I need.”
Rio took Montana’s hand and stroked the inside of her palm—a move that always drove her mad. She swallowed and snatched her hand away.
“Stop, Rio.”
“Your man didn’t even run over here to defend your honor. I’m blatantly hitting on you. If I was him, I’d be running up on me right now, hitting me with a two-piece.”
Montana narrowed her eyes and blew an angry breath out of her nose. “He knows I can handle myself. Why don’t you go take care of your date? She’s waiting for you.”
Rio scoffed. “Date? She knows exactly what she is. She’s a maintenance chick. I need some, she needs some, so it’s on.”
“Rio, I’m gonna go now,” Montana said, frustration punctuating her words.
“Okay, babe. It was good seeing you. Don’t be a stranger.” Rio said these words to Montana’s back, because she’d snatched Emoni up and moved on.
Emoni whispered, “You were not believable at all. And, oh my glory, he is gorgeous. Is that your ex?”
Montana nodded. “Yep, that’s Rio. The devil’s nephew.”
“How did you ever get the nerve to walk away from him?”
Emoni asked. “He looks like one of those men who get you strung out.”
Montana nodded in agreement. “He is one of those men, and seeing him just made me feel like I need a hit. Can you pray for me?”
“Right now?”
Montana nodded. “Yeah, now.”
Emoni glanced over at the guys, who now looked a bit impatient, but then she took both of Montana’s hands in hers.
“Dear God, I ask, in the name of Jesus, that you strengthen my sister. Help her to know that the enemy only shows up right on the brink of a breakthrough. You’ve blessed her this evening with a job and a home, and now the enemy wants to take her testimony. We rebuke him right now in the name of Jesus. We don’t know what your plan is for Montana, but we know that whatever it is, it’s going to be awesome. Thank you, in advance. Amen.”
Montana nodded and whispered, “Amen.”
“Let’s go get something to eat, now,” Emoni said. “I’m starved. And since you just claimed Trent as your boyfriend, maybe you spoke it into existence.”
“Boo,” Montana said.
“You could’ve said anything, but you claimed him. I think that was a Freudian slip. You like him, don’t you?”
Montana got a really serious look on her face. “Emoni, you’re going to force me to thrash you.”
Both of the young women burst into laughter at the mention of a line from Montana’s favorite movie, Coming to America. She knew it was a comedy, but it was the only fairy tale she knew about where a random black girl marries a handsome and sweet African prince. Montana could recite the lines word for word, and she forced all of her friends to watch it with her at least once. Emoni had been a victim on several occasions.
“Okay, you better stop dissing my boy Trent. How do you know he’s not from some rich kingdom in the Motherland?” Emoni asked.
Montana sighed. “Because if he was, he’d have absolutely no interest in me whatsoever.”
Emoni linked arms with Montana and pulled her toward their dates. “You have got to start thinking more positively.”
Montana grinned. She was thinking positively. She was positively sure that she was going to try her best and make the Chambers family love her. Maybe they’d give her a permanent position. Maybe living with them would give her a new sense of security and erase all the vestiges of her former life with Rio.
The Replacement Wife Page 4
