“Thanks.”
“And you look awful. Like you were crying or got punched in the face.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Well, which was it?” she demanded.
“Crying.” I was man enough to admit that. Or was I? I wasn’t really sure what kind of man I was anymore. And that came as a shock.
Veronica plucked Sartre from my bed and sat down holding her. “Why did you say you’d help me?”
“What?” I missed something.
“Why did you say you would help me find Anderson’s killer if you knew it was you?”
That was a fair question. “You were so passionate about it. I wanted to help you.”
“Did you think you would ever tell me the truth?”
“I have no idea.”
“Really?”
“Really. I had no idea where this would lead. I guess I just thought I’d see where the wind took me.”
Veronica thought about that for a moment. “Kind of like your life, huh?”
I nodded. She was right.
“I like your RV. Is this where we will live?”
I sat down out of shock. “What are you saying?”
She shook her head like I was clueless. “It’s either this or my asbestos-infested apartment. That professor is coming back from Paraguay soon.”
“You…you want to live with me?” I actually stuttered. That had to be a first.
“Yes, Coney Bombay. I want to live with you. I want to make an honest man out of you and be a mother to your guinea pig.”
“Wow. That’s a good offer.” I smiled. “Okay. You can live here.”
Ronnie closed the gap between us, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me in a way that made my hair stand on end.
“Okay. I’ll get my stuff. Just one thing.”
I kissed her again. It felt like home. “And what is that?”
She smiled. “I really hate the nickname Ronnie.”
Epilogue
And so it came to pass that the Bombays were out of the assassination business. This was big news, but there was no one we could really tell. Mum’s visit to Greenland with the others went well. The previous council members had had enough of pureed food and the sullen staff. They all retired to Santa Muerta to live out the rest of their days in peace. I think they even liked it.
My cousins were thrilled with their early retirement. No one really had to work ever again, due to our trust funds. But I did hear a rumor about Paris and Dak opening a marketing consulting firm. We all visit our island from time to time, for real vacations now. Missi took down the ropes course in what she called “a ritualistic cleansing with fire.” I’m not sure what that was all about.
Mum and Dad took a trip around the world to celebrate. By the time they came back one year later, Veronica and I presented them with their first grandson, named Theodore. He was the first Bombay without a place-name. My parents bought an RV so they could travel with us wherever we went. This was annoying at first, until we realized how difficult it was to find sitters when you didn’t know where you were.
Sartre appeared to like the new addition to the family. She seemed a bit honored, if guinea pigs could be honored, that we gave the baby her name for his middle name. As for Veronica and me, we decided that we were just going to travel around the country, checking things out here at home. We figured we had five years to find the place we would want to settle down before Theodore had to start school. My mother is rooting for New Mexico, but I kind of like San Francisco. Dad is still trying to convince us to move to Australia, and, according to Veronica, no matter where we go, Iowa is the best place to be.
Who knows where we will end up? I’m not making any plans yet. I am looking forward to settling down with my family…someday. And for a retired carney/assassin with a guinea pig and a Ph.D., the future looks pretty good.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A huge, overdue, and much-deserved “thank you” to Cheryl Smith. This woman dragged me up to meet my future editor at RWA in Atlanta and forced me to pitch this series to her. Without Cheryl, who knows if the Bombays would exist in print?
Thanks, Cheryl!
CRITICS ARE WILD FOR THE NOVELS OF LESLIE LANGTRY:
STAND BY YOUR HITMAN
“When it comes to assassin-filled comedy, Langtry has cornered the market!”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Stand by Your Hitman is another sure hit winner.”
—Chicago Tribune
“Stand by Your Hitman is for readers who like laughter as the spice of their story and who have an appreciation for the lighter side of life.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“The Bombays deliver again their unique blend of danger, romance, and madcap mayhem. Put all of that together with the worst put-together reality show possible, and the result is a fun read.”
—NewsandSentinel.com
“Fans of the Bombay brood will enjoy their latest escapades as the audience will stand by their hit-woman.”
—Midwest Book Review
GUNS WILL KEEP US TOGETHER
“Langtry’s ability to make this lethal and outrageous clan both funny and somewhat endearing is a testament to her style. Who knew the assassination business could produce so many laughs?”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“If you need a really good laugh, then get Guns Will Keep Us Together. The characters and plot emphasize a funny, even wacky view of life, and a guaranteed happily ever after.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“This novel is uproariously funny and will have you chuckling until the last page is turned….Guns Will Keep Us Together proves to be a definite keeper novel as it is one of the funniest romances I have read in a long, long time.”
—Romance Reader at Heart
“Another wicked blend of action, romance, mystery, and dark humor, Guns Will Keep Us Together gives readers bullets, buff guys, and bad boys…I hope the Bombay family continues on with their deadly misadventures.”
—Newsandsentinel.com
’SCUSE ME WHILE I KILL THIS GUY
“With an irreverent, tell-it-like-it-is, suburban-mom-assassin narrator, Leslie Langtry’s ’Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy delivers wild and wicked fun.”
—Julie Kenner, USA Today Bestselling Author of California Demon
“Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, ‘Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix?’ One truly original and wacky novel!”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Those who like dark humor will enjoy a look into the deadliest female assassin and PTA mom’s life.”
—Parkersburg News
“The fast-paced romantic suspense chick lit thriller is over the top, but fans will want to follow suit as Leslie Langtry provides a satirical family drama.”
—Midwest Book Reviews
“Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense in ’Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy.”
—Chicago Tribune
Other Making It titles by Leslie Langtry:
STAND BY YOUR HITMAN
GUNS WILL KEEP US TOGETHER
’SCUSE ME WHILE I KILL THIS GUY
Copyright
MAKING IT®
July 2009
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
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Copyright © 2009 by Leslie Thompson
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0697-8
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