The Replacement Wife by Tiffany L. Warren Page A

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.”
    â€œOh, good,” Montana said. “ ’Cause we were getting a little rowdy in here.”
    â€œRowdy 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?”
    â€œI guess I could use some floralization. It’s nice.”
    Danielle scrunched her nose. “Daddy, floralization is not a word.”
    â€œHe made that up on purpose, dummy,” Morgan said.
    â€œDon’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.
    â€œShould we give your daddy the first French toast?” Montana asked.
    Reese said, “You should give both men some first.”
    â€œYou 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.
    â€œThis 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.
    â€œYou leaving, Mr. Chambers?”
    Quentin paused before answering Montana’s question. The tone of her voice made him think she wanted him to stay.
    â€œUm . . . yes. I’ve got some runs to make.”
    â€œYou should stay and hang out with us,” Morgan said.
    â€œDo you all have anything planned?” Quentin asked.
    â€œThey 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?”
    â€œThat’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?”
    â€œThere’s quite a bit I don’t do! I’m just putting my best foot forward. I want you guys to like me.”
    â€œWell, 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.”
    â€œOkay, 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.”
    â€œNo, it’s Montana and the kids.”
    Estelle lifted her eyebrows in surprise. “They sound like they’re having fun.”
    â€œThey