Unbound by Olivia Leighton Read Free Book Online Page A

boots?” I asked.
     
    She shrugged and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I have no idea. These are made specifically for men. But it’s one of the best sellers across the US.”
     
    “ Sounds good enough for me.”
     
    She started ringing up the GoBars, the shoes and then gave me a curious look. For a moment, I was afraid that she had pegged me. She'd seen through the goatee and the hair, past the Bruins cap and the flannel, and recognized Devlin Stone. Panic bloomed in my chest, hot like fire. When she gave me her cutesy little smile again, I realized that he hadn’t notice me at all.
     
    “ You’re one of those eco tourists, right?” she asked.
     
    “ Um…sort of.”
     
    “ I only ask because I’ve never seen you before. Sitka isn’t a very big place, so the local faces get familiar. Yours, though, I’m not familiar with.”
     
    “ I’m a new addition,” I said. “I’m not quite sure how long I’ll be in town. The last few days, I’ve been starting to think it might be for the long term.”
     
    “ Sitka can do that to a person.”  She laughed as she put the GoBars in a paper sack.  “I take it you’ve discovered the trails all back in the woods?”
     
    “ Yeah. I’m staying at one of the cabins on Moose Hill.”
     
    She nodded and reached under the counter. She offered me a brochure that folded out into a miniature map. “This is just about every trail you’ll find around here. It’s easy to get lost if you take the wrong turn, so I always pass these out to the newbies.”
     
    “ Thanks,” I said, taking the bag that she had placed the power bars in. “If this thing ever saves my life, I promise I’ll think of you.”  I smiled at her.
     
    Wait… am I flirting? It sure felt like it. And damn, it felt weird... but good.
     
    She gave me that shy sort of smile again and then extended her hand. “Well, although I am likely not the first, let me welcome you to Sitka. My name is McKinley Blackwell, but folks call me Mac.  This is my store.”
     
    I took her hand and shook it. When I opened my mouth, the name Devlin Stone almost slipped out. “Nice to meet you, Mac. I’m Jack Keith.”
     
    “ Nice to meet you ,” she said smiling warmly, tucking some of her glossy hair behind an ear.
     
    “ So this place is yours? You own it?”
     
    “ Yeah. The Pine Way has been in my family since the 60s. When my dad passed on seven years ago, I took it over.”
     
    “ It’s an awesome place. If these power bars are any good, I’ll be back.”
     
    “ Or if the shoes aren’t,” she said, nodding to the box I held tucked under my arm.
     
    “ That, too. Have a good day, Mac.”  I smiled at her and she returned it with a grin of her own.
     
    “ And you do the same, Jack.”
     
    I left The Pine Way with a smile on my face. When I made my exit, I tried to coyly look through the display window. Mac was writing something down on a sheet of paper by the register. I grinned. I wasn’t sure why I was so instantly fond of her, but it was a nice feeling.
     
    As I made my way to Tanner’s Fresh Fish, I saw a beautiful blue float plane for sale. What occurred in my head in that moment was very much like those cartoons where a character has a very exaggerated light bulb pop up over their head. As I walked into Tanner’s Fresh Fish, I once again tried to figure out how I could get to my money without revealing my whereabouts to the rest of the world… and this time, this time I meant business.  I loved to fly!
     
    Mr. Tanner, as always, was sitting behind the counter when I walked in. He smiled instantly the moment he noticed me. Mr. Tanner gave me quite the lesson on which species of crab was the best. The old man prattled on and on but I liked it. In a way, he reminded me of my grandpa I'd taken my new name from, so I didn’t mind the lengthy conversation.
     
    “Hey there, Jack,” he said. “Back for more king crab legs?”
     
    “Nope, not today.”  I smiled