Free Wish You Were Here by Lani Diane Rich Page B

that’s not what I’m after,” Malcolm said. “And Mick’s dead, so I feel confident you won’t have to worry about any unwanted advances from him.”
    Nikkie straightened. “Mick’s dead? Then what the hell are we doing in Idaho?”
    Malcolm sighed He had hoped this could be handled with a little more delicacy, but it seemed that Nikkie had hardened significantly since he ’d last seen her, and she’d hardly been a marshmallow back then. “There’s an item that Mick had, and I need it.”
    “ And why can’t you get it yourself?”
    Malcolm gave a slight nod. “My nephew has inherited the land, and we’ve had trouble seeing eye to eye since that time he threatened to cause me bodily harm if I ever darkened his door again.”
    Nikkie ’s face went white. “Nate... um…” She cleared her throat. “Nate’s here?”
    “ Yes. So is Piper. They’re living at Mick’s campground and that’s where this item is, I believe. So you see my predicament.”
    She stared at him for a while, her eyes narrowed, then sat back and crossed her arms over her stomach. “You are one shitty piece of work, you know that?”
    “ It’s been brought to my attention on occasion, yes.”
    “ You want me to use Nate and Piper to get you some stupid ‘item’ because you’re too much of a coward to get it yourself?” She downed the last of her drink, slammed it on the table, and stood up. “Fuck off, old man.”
    “ Let’s not be rash.”
    “ I’m not being rash.” She pulled up the telescoping suitcase handle. “I’m coming to my senses. Why I ever thought this might be a good idea is beyond—”
    “ There was no mistake with your reservation, Nikkie, was there?”
    Her grip on the handle of her suitcase tightened, but she didn ’t move away. Malcolm stood up and moved closer, careful to keep the smile on his face and the gentle tone in his voice.
    “ You and I both know that, even if you could afford first class, you wouldn’t fly out here from Los Angeles to see me unless you were beyond desperate. I know about the debts, dear, and I know that, despite all your posturing, you will do this for me, because I will pay you, and you’ve never been choosy about where your money comes from, so long as it comes. Am I right?”
    Nikkie muttered something foul at him, but she didn ’t leave. Malcolm put a fatherly hand on her shoulder.
    “ All I’m asking is that you go for a short visit, under the aegis of checking up on your ex-husband and daughter after their devastating loss. While you’re there, you will find this object for me. Once you do, you’ll have enough money to get rid of those pesky debts, and maybe have a little left over to do something about that nose.” He touched the slightly upturned tip of her nose with his finger. “I know you’ve always wanted Sharon Stone’s nose. Here’s your chance.”
    She turned her face away from him for a moment, but he could still smell her desperation. Even before she turned her eyes back to meet his, he knew he ’d won, and was already smiling.
    “ That’s my girl,” he said, motioning toward the booth seat. “I knew you’d see reason.”
    She let out a hefty sigh and threw herself back down into the booth. “I’m still not sleeping with you.”
    “ Believe it or not,” Malcolm said, “the idea is almost as repugnant to me as it is to yourself.”
    He raised his hand, and the waitress appeared almost instantly.
    “My companion will be requiring a refill,” he said.
    “ Don’t bother,” Nikkie said, pulling two more stolen airline vodkas out of her pocket and placing them before her on the table. She whipped the top off one, threw it back, and then looked up at the waitress, who was staring at her. “What?”
    “ Um,” the waitress began, her eyes wide and skittish, making her look like a fat, nervous doe.
    “ You know,” Malcolm said, putting his hand on the waitress’s arm to draw her attention away from Nikkie, “I think I’ll give in