Chloe sighed. She had to move quickly, before her window of opportunity passed. Operation “Ditch the Nanny” was in full effect.
CHAPTER 13
A loud crash of thunder woke Montana from a deep sleep. She’d been dreaming about Cinderella, of all things. In the dream she and Cinderella were wearing rags and running through a huge mansion, and they were being chased by something unseen. It was crazy, because in the dream, Montana was a real woman, but Cinderella was a cartoon, like in the film she’d watched over and over again as a child. She touched her stomach and wondered if that late-night plate of shrimp fried rice was the cause of her strange dream.
Montana decided to make herself a cup of lavender tea. It always settled her stomach and made her sleepy. At least she got to sleep in a little bit in the morning. The kids were on spring break, so no drop-offs. As soon as she got the schedule down, they were out of school for a week. She was going to have to learn everything all over again.
Montana slipped a robe on top of her nightgown and put on a pair of furry slippers before quietly descending the spiral staircase to the kitchen. As big as the Chambers mansion was, it seemed like almost everything took place in the kitchen and the media room. The rest of the house went mostly untouched.
On her way into the kitchen, Montana peeked into the parlor that used to be the favorite place of the late Mrs. Chambers. It was a warm and friendly room, even in the dark in the middle of a storm. Occasionally, Montana would see Quentin in the room, standing in front of the window staring out at the pond, but tonight he wasn’t there. The mansion was silent—even the floor creaks were drowned out by the sound of the rain.
In the kitchen, Montana quietly heated her tea water in the microwave. She preferred using a teapot, but she didn’t want to break the silence with the whistle of the pot.
When the tea was ready, she sat down at the table and closed her eyes. The house was so peaceful with the rain pattering against the roof. She was tempted to go outside and splash around in the puddles.
In Montana’s robe pocket there was a buzz. Her cell phone. Who would be texting her at this hour? Immediately she thought of her elderly aunt in Cleveland and snatched the phone from her pocket.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it wasn’t her aunt, but let out a low groan when she saw who the text was from. Rio. Why hadn’t she changed her number after they split up?
His text said, Montana, it was so good seeing you. I know I said I wouldn’t contact you after you broke up with me, but I can’t stop thinking about you. You look like you’ve gained a few pounds, but trust me when I say it’s in all the right places. I’d love to feel you in my arms again. Don’t you miss me at all? Did I really lose my favorite girl to Jesus?
Montana shook her head and deleted the text message. There was a time when she had missed him. She’d missed him so badly that she’d almost given up going to church. But she prayed for God to remove her craving for Rio and all of the carnal things he’d done with her and to her.
God was faithful, because she didn’t have those cravings for him anymore. He was like a drug that had been flushed from her system. She’d been detoxed.
Montana finished her cup of tea and quietly rinsed her cup, dried it, and put it back in the cupboard. She had turned off the light and headed back to her room when she heard a loud thump behind her in the kitchen. Then there was a yelp that sounded like a child, but it could’ve been an animal. She pondered for a moment, grabbed a poker from the fireplace, and headed bravely back into the kitchen.
Montana threw on the light switch and there, sprawled out on the floor, clutching her ankle, was Deirdre. She was soaking wet from head to toe, and wincing from pain.
“Deirdre, are you okay?” Montana asked.
She nodded and put a finger to her lips. “Will you be quiet? Are you trying to wake up the entire house?”
Montana put the poker down and kneeled next to Deirdre. She touched the ankle that Deirdre was nursing. Deirdre winced in pain again.
“I think your ankle is swelling.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious,” Deirdre said.
For some reason, this made Montana giggle. “Sorry, I know you’re in pain, but that was funny.”
“I’m glad you’re so easily amused,” Deirdre said.
“What were you doing out there anyway?”
Finally, Montana noticed what Deirdre was wearing. A tiny jean skirt, cute heels, and a snug knit blouse. She also had on a face full of makeup.
“I was just taking a walk,” Deirdre said.
Montana held up one of the red five-inch heels. “In these?”
“Yes,” Deirdre said as she snatched her shoe. Montana tilted her head to one side and swept the wet hair from Deirdre’s face. “You can trust me, you know. I’m not your enemy.”
“You’re my warden. That’s why they hired you.”
“Maybe we could be friends.”
“Isn’t that called fraternizing with the prisoners? I’m sure it’s against the rules. Plus I don’t need any more friends. I’ve got enough.”
“That’s crazy. Why don’t we get to know each other first before you decide.”
Deirdre rolled her eyes. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, let me think. What do you want to be when you grow up? Where are you going to college?”
Deirdre laughed loudly and then quieted herself. “Why do I need to go to college? It’s not like I’ll ever need a job. We’ve got more money than I can ever spend. I should just drop out of school right now and go shopping every day.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing!” Montana fussed. “Not everyone has the opportunity to have the kind of education your family can afford. I scraped my way through school, but it was the best thing ever. You don’t just go to college to get a job. You go to discover who you are.”
“I know who I am,” Deirdre said. “I’m a trust-fund brat.”
Montana tilted the girl’s chin upward and smiled at her. “You’re more than that! God’s called you to do something.”
“God doesn’t care about me. If He did, my mother would still be here.”
Montana’s heart ached for Deirdre. “I felt that way when I lost my mother, but I hope someday you’ll feel differently.”
“Whatever,” Deirdre said, slowly rising to her feet. “I’m going to bed. My walk has tired me out.”
“Well, don’t you want to know anything about me?”
“Nah. You’re the one trying to be friends. Not me.”
Montana sighed as Deirdre hopped out of the kitchen. Quentin wasn’t the only one in the Chambers family who needed healing. Montana might have to leave his wounds to Chloe, but she would see to it that Deidre got healed.
CHAPTER 14
Quentin was having a rough morning. The previous night’s storm had interrupted his sleep multiple times, and his alarm clock was annoying him with its incessant buzzing. When he finally did get out of bed, he stubbed his big toe on the corner of his solid oak armoire, sending ripples of pain through his foot and profanities through the air.
The last thing Quentin needed this morning was excitement. He just wanted to have his protein shake and go to Transitions for a while.
He looked all over his bedroom for his cell phone and couldn’t find it. Then he remembered; he’d left it in his office the night before on purpose. He hadn’t felt like talking to Chloe, so if she’d called he could truthfully say he’d missed it.
Quentin stepped inside his office to take his phone off the desk and noticed a pretty bouquet of flowers. As grumpy as he felt, the blossoms made him smile. It was a pleasant surprise, and he wasn’t used to getting those very often.
Now in a better mood than when he rolled out of bed, Quentin went downstairs to make his protein shake. It was his normal breakfast, along with some fruit. He ate healthy during the week, for the most part, and let loose on the weekend. It was how he’d avoided that middle-age gut some of his friends had acquir
ed.
As he neared the kitchen, Quentin’s senses noticed two things. Noise—a lot of it. And the scents of cinnamon and vanilla. All of a sudden that protein shake was incredibly unappetizing.
When he heard the children’s voices, Quentin expected his mother to be in the kitchen with them, but instead it was Montana. Four of his children, all except Deirdre, were hanging out in the kitchen with Montana while she flipped French toast on the griddle.
Quentin also noticed the vases on the countertops and on the table, filled with vibrant fresh flowers. But as stunning as those flowers were, they didn’t come close to outshining Montana’s beauty. She was wearing sweats, and her big hair was pulled into a high ponytail. The sight of her caught Quentin completely off guard.
There was something about her—a glow. Something that radiated from inside. Maybe she was just a happy person. No, Quentin thought, it’s more than that. It looked as if she’d never been sad. It was a quality most people lost when they experienced a heartbreak or suffered a loss.
The children were playing a game of charades with Montana, and they were laughing and keeping up such a racket that they hadn’t noticed Quentin in the doorway. He quietly observed them from his post and enjoyed the fun.
Danielle was the first to notice Quentin. She ran over and hugged his waist. “Daddy! Are you hungry? Ms. Montana made French toast. I told her it was your favorite.”
“Good morning, Mr. Chambers. I hope we didn’t wake you.”
Quentin walked arm in arm with Danielle over to the table. “No, you didn’t. This house is so big, a fireworks show could’ve been going on down here and I wouldn’t have heard it in my room.”
“Oh, good,” Montana said. “ ’Cause we were getting a little rowdy in here.”
“Rowdy is cool. It’s spring break, y’all are supposed to be cutting up.” Quentin motioned toward the flowers. “Did you do this too?”
Montana smiled. “The twins and I went out and gathered flowers this morning. They’re from the property. You like?”
“I guess I could use some floralization. It’s nice.”
Danielle scrunched her nose. “Daddy, floralization is not a word.”
“He made that up on purpose, dummy,” Morgan said.
“Don’t call your sister a dummy,” Montana said. “She is very, very smart!”
Danielle stuck her tongue out at Morgan, and Morgan laughed. Quentin sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest. The kids seemed to really like Montana. Quentin had to give his mother credit for this whole nanny idea.
“Should we give your daddy the first French toast?” Montana asked.
Reese said, “You should give both men some first.”
“You are not a man,” Madison said.
Madison took the plate from Montana and sat it in front of Quentin. “Eat up, Daddy. I know it’s not those nasty shakes you usually have, but it’s better!”
Quentin picked up a fork. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
He took one bite and shuddered at the deliciousness of the French toast. There was a nutty flavor in addition to the cinnamon, and it was the perfect combination of crispy at the edges and soft and buttery in the middle.
“This is really good, Montana. Thank you!”
Montana smiled, and Quentin felt butterflies in his stomach. Then he felt ridiculous for the butterflies. He was a grown man. Grown men didn’t get all twisted about a pretty girl.
But the butterflies continued.
Quentin ate a few more bites and stood to his feet. He couldn’t take Montana and her smiles anymore this morning. She was making him feel lame.
“You leaving, Mr. Chambers?”
Quentin paused before answering Montana’s question. The tone of her voice made him think she wanted him to stay.
“Um . . . yes. I’ve got some runs to make.”
“You should stay and hang out with us,” Morgan said.
“Do you all have anything planned?” Quentin asked.
“They want to go to the mall. Girl stuff,” Reese said. “Save yourself, Dad.”
Quentin frowned. “The mall? How about I just give y’all a credit card?”
“That’s what’s up!” Madison said. “Hand it over!”
Quentin said, “Okay, I was thinking you were gonna be like Mary Poppins, but you’re a chef too? What don’t you do?”
“There’s quite a bit I don’t do! I’m just putting my best foot forward. I want you guys to like me.”
“Well, we definitely like you. Keep up the good work.” Quentin wished he had a rewind button to press. He thought he sounded way too enthusiastic on that last comment.
He was rewarded with another big smile from Montana. “Maybe you can hang out with us another time, Mr. Chambers. We’d be glad to have you.”
“Okay, y’all. Enjoy the day.”
On the way out of the kitchen Quentin ran into Estelle, who was still wearing her lounging robe. “Mother, are you feeling well?” he asked. Estelle always got dressed when she woke up.
She nodded. “I’m just feeling lazy today, and I smelled breakfast cooking, so I came down. I thought it was you cooking.”
“No, it’s Montana and the kids.”
Estelle lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “They sound like they’re having fun.”
“They are.”
Estelle made a satisfied little noise before stepping around her son and continuing to the kitchen.
“Quentin,” Estelle called when Quentin was at the bottom of the staircase.
“Yes?”
“You’re welcome.”
Quentin laughed out loud. Estelle never waited for thanks. She commanded it.
“Okay, Mother. Okay. You were right! The kids needed a nanny.”
Estelle gave Quentin a knowing smile as if she knew about the butterflies. She couldn’t possibly. Could she? Quentin put one hand on his stomach in an effort to calm them and rushed away from his mother.
He was a grown man. He didn’t need a nanny or insects in his stomach.
CHAPTER 15
Montana happily cleaned up the kitchen after making breakfast with the children. The Chambers family had a maid, of course, but Montana was taught to always clean up after herself. Her values hadn’t changed when she’d moved into a mansion.
Singing always helped her work go by more quickly, so she practiced the song they were going to sing at church on Sunday. It was an old Andrae Crouch song called “We Are Not Ashamed.” Montana simply loved the song, and she felt so honored when the choir director asked her to lead it, along with one of the brothers.
When she got to the chorus part, Montana belted, “We are not ashamed!” at the top of her lungs. Then she caught herself and lowered her voice. She remembered Quentin wasn’t all that fond of church, and that probably included gospel music. He was gone on his errands, but maybe one of the staff would tell him. Things were going well with Ms. Levy, and Montana wanted to keep it that way.
“Ms. Montana?”
Montana jumped at the sound of Morgan’s voice. “Yes, honey? Do you need something?”
She shook her head, and then Madison tipped into the kitchen too. Morgan said, “Please don’t stop singing. Our parents used to sing that song all the time.”
“They did? Mr. Chambers can sing too? I knew he could play, but I didn’t know he could sing.”
“He doesn’t sing anymore,” Madison said. “No one sings anymore in our house.”
“Well, I sing! Only I do it in my room with the door closed,” Morgan said.
Montana’s heart ached for these children. It was like they were all trapped in cages waiting for the jailer to arrive with the key and set them free.
“Singing should be heard,” Montana said. “I’m going to sit down, and I want you to give me a concert.”
Morgan covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “What should I sing?”
“Whatever you want!”
Morgan cleared her throat, closed her ey
es, and launched into a beautiful rendition of “Killing Me Softly.” It was a take on Lauryn Hill’s version, and Morgan’s voice was perfect for it. Then, on the chorus, Madison came in on the harmony parts. Their voices blended seamlessly.
When they were done, Montana gave them a round of applause. Danielle had joined them in the kitchen, and she was clapping too.
“You girls sound incredible! Why aren’t you in the youth choir at church?”
“Daddy won’t let us,” Danielle said. “I can sing too.”
Montana gave the youngest girl a hug. “You can?”
“But Deirdre sings the best,” Madison said. “Her voice is ridiculous. One time she sang at a talent show at school. We went, but no one told Daddy.”
“Go and get Deirdre. I want to hear her sing too,” Montana said.
Danielle scurried out of the kitchen to get her sister. Montana beamed at the twins.
“I can’t believe you guys have been keeping all this good singing to yourself!”
Deirdre limped into the kitchen behind Danielle. She looked annoyed.
“What?” Deirdre asked.
“Your sisters tell me you are an awesome singer! I want to hear it!”
Deirdre rolled her eyes at her sisters. “Y’all better be glad Daddy isn’t here with all this singing y’all doing.”
“Sing! Sing! Sing!” Madison, Morgan, and Danielle chanted and giggled at the same time.
“Okay, rugrats.”
Deirdre cleared her throat and started snapping her finger. Then she sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” like the song was written for her. She sounded so good that if she wanted a record deal, she could get one that very day.
“Wow,” Montana said when it was over. “That was incredible.”
“I know,” Deirdre said with a laugh.
Everyone burst into laughter at Deirdre’s cocky reply. Deirdre did a little dance where she bobbed her shoulders up and down.
“How do y’all feel about not being able to sing around your father?” Montana asked, changing the lighthearted mood.
The twins looked at each other and then the floor. Danielle had a sad face as well, but Deirdre looked angry.
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