Ace's Place

Derek Murphy arrives in the small town of Merritt, British Columbia, seeking a new start and finds his perspective beginning to shift after an encounter at the local sports bar. Harold Graham, a lifelong resident, is drawn to the new outsider and reaches out in friendship, sparking the possibility of something more. As secrets and unspoken truths surface, the story explores themes of vulnerability, second chances, and the potential for love. "Ace’s Place" is a 13,000-word short story blending hockey, romance, and charm.