The Black Bear walks with the strength of the land, the Arctic Fox carries the whispers of the wind, and the Lynx sees what lies beneath the snow. Alone, they survive—together, they change the world.”

“Maskwa pimithāhtīw askîhk, titâpan sihtāw yotinākamowina, êkwa piwâpiskos wâpiw mêkwâc kaskitaw. Peyakwan, kîyokîyowak—mîna nîkân êkâ wi-mâci-nitawi-pêyâhtakowak.”

---

Grace enjoyed every moment of dinner with the Rudenkos and Erik, savoring both the flavors of Sky’s home-cooked meal and the conversation. She would never have imagined that she could feel so relaxed with people that she’s only met less than six weeks ago. Yet, the dinner companions had been sharing a meal, laughing and storytelling for over five hours.

It was nearly 11 o’clock when Erik leaned back in his chair, stretched, rolled his shoulders, and said, “I should call it a night. I need to get up early. There’s snow in the forecast and I need to secure some things at the cabin before it gets too bad.”

Sky gave him a look. He nodded, standing up and stretching briefly before moving to Sky, and engulfing her in an affectionate hug around her shoulders. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he murmured.

Erik and Stepan exchanged nods, but as Erik moved past Grace, he hesitated for the briefest of moments before lifting his hand and grazing it gently over her shoulder. Grace remained motionless as Erik’s fingers brushed against the side of her neck. When she looked up, their eyes met in a silent exchange that acknowledged that she welcomed his touch.

“Goodnight, Grace.” His voice was a whisper and the way he said her name caused her back to slightly arch.

She managed a soft smile. “Goodnight.”

He held her gaze a few moments longer before stepping away, disappearing up the stairs without another word.

Grace exhaled, suddenly realizing that she had been holding her breath.

“He’s up early every morning. I keep telling him that he needs to learn to sleep in more, but it’s as if he has all this energy to burn off.” Stepan observed, barely disguising his smirk.

Sky elbowed him lightly before turning to Grace. “Don’t worry about helping with the dishes, honey. We’ve got it.”

Grace hesitated. “Are you sure?”

Sky waved her off. “Absolutely. Get some rest.”

Grace nodded, said goodnight, grabbed her coffee and headed upstairs.

Winter Blooms

Just like Pelletier’s cabin, every guest room at the Manitow B&B had a name. Grace’s room was The Winter Bloom Room. When you entered the room the gentle glow of a Christmas tree bathed the space in a warm, golden light. The handcrafted ornaments glimmered softly, casting delicate shadows across the walls. The fireplace flickered, filling the air with the subtle scent of cedar and winter blooms while the mantel above adorned with a garland of evergreen springs, pink and white Camellia blooms, and Hellebores blooms in various shades, gave the entire room the feel of a romantic holiday sanctuary.

Grace set her coffee on the small table by the window nook and curled up in the cozy armchair, pulling a throw around her shoulders.

Outside, the landscape was pristine and glistening, untouched snow reflecting the silver light of a near-full moon. The stars, like a thousand tiny lanterns, illuminated the vast stillness of the northern wilderness.

She took a slow sip of her coffee, letting its warmth settle in her chest.

Then she noticed the missed call from Rabbit—her stepbrother, Gregory. She smiled at the nickname she had given him when they were younger, inspired by the countless rabbit holes of conspiracy and history he always found himself diving into.

It was close to midnight, but that had never stopped them from calling each other before. Gregory always had impeccable timing. She knew he was checking on her, just as he always had. She pressed the call back.

Winnipeg

In Winnipeg, Gregory lounged in his elegant Glasshouse condo, his legs stretched out comfortably as he rested against the charcoal-colored sofa. His fingers idly tapped the chrome edge of the glass coffee table, the soft glow of a table lamp casting long shadows across the dark-patterned indigenous motif beneath him.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the cityscape sparkled under a layer of freshly fallen snow, the streets below quiet, their lights reflecting against the icy pavement.

His phone buzzed. He smirked as he answered.

“Hey, Sis. I was just checking in on you.”

Brotherly Love

Grace exhaled, warmth spreading through her chest. “I’m good, Rabbit. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Of course, I do,” Gregory countered. “It’s been a while since your little off-road adventure through the woods and I haven’t heard from you.  I’m just making sure you haven’t been attacked by a wolf or lost somewhere in the tundra.” She laughed. “Very funny. I’m alive and well. The forest here is gorgeous. It feels ancient and new at the same time. And the night sky is amazing. I get out an explore every day, but Erik showed me places I never would have found on my own.”

Gregory smiled, “Oh did he?”  There was a knowing pause before Gregory spoke again. “So, you’re spending your time exploring the wilds with a hockey player, huh?”

Grace groaned. “Don’t start.”

“I’m just saying,” Gregory teased, “my quiet big sister doesn’t normally just hop into vehicles with strangers. So, you must like him. Admit it—you like him.”

“I do,” she admitted, then quickly added, “but it’s not like that. Erik’s… interesting. His family has a long history here. He’s quiet, thoughtful, a great listener, and ….”

“And you think he’s hot?’ Gregory interjected.

Grace hesitated before continuing, her voice softer. “I feel comfortable with him—safe. There’s no particular reason why, I just do, and I haven’t felt that in a long time.”

Gregory’s teasing tone faded into something gentler. “I know.”

Grace shifted in her chair, glancing toward the softly glowing Christmas tree in the corner of her room.

“I missed your call because I was having dinner with the Rudenkos and Erik,” she explained, her voice warm with lingering contentment. “Sky made this incredible meal—venison stew, tourtière, wild mushroom soup—and the conversation just flowed. It felt like… when our family got together, in a way—easy, comfortable.” She paused, smiling at the memory.

 “Stepan told stories about his childhood and his family in Ukraine and, Sky had us all laughing with stories about Erik’s troublemaking days as a kid. He was quiet for most of it, but you could tell he was listening, taking it all in.”

Gregory noticed the subtle shift in her tone, the unspoken warmth there. “You sound like you had a really good time, Sis,” he said knowingly.

Grace exhaled, curling her fingers around the rim of her coffee mug. “I did. It was… nice. I don’t know the last time I sat at a table like that and just enjoyed the moment.”

Grace swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. “I didn’t come here looking for a relationship.”

Gregory snorted. “But you need one.”

Grace scoffed. “I think you make up for both of us in that department.”

“That’s cruel,” Gregory shot back, mock offended.

Grace laughed. Then Gregory’s voice shifted slightly, turning serious.

“Alright, so… I did some checking on him.”

Grace blinked, sitting up straighter. “You what?”

“Of course, I investigated the man who took my big sister in the woods. I mean into the woods.”

She groaned. “REJE RABBIT! I can’t believe you investigated him.”

“Oh, please,” he scoffed. “This is what I do. That’s what we both do. Remember when you ….

“OK, we look out for each other,” Grace relented.

 “You should be thanking me, “Gregory continued.

Grace sighed but knew better than to argue. “Okay, fine. What did you dig up?”

Gregory sat up and pulled up a file on his laptop. “His full name is Erik Elias Strand. Born January 19, 1989—so he’s thirty-five. Grew up on a farm in Buffalo County, Nebraska. Norwegian father, Métis, French Canadian mother with some Cree and Scottish ancestry. Spent summers working for his dad’s contracting business, so the guy knows his way around carpentry. But his first love was hockey. He was damn good, too.”

Grace already knew these details, but she let her brother continue.

“He played in the USHL, then went on to the AHL. Had a solid shot at the NHL before his knee injury. That ended his career.”

“His wife left him soon after. Guess she wasn’t built for the ‘for better or worse’ part.”

Grace exhaled. “Most people aren’t.”

“No arrest record,” Gregory continued, “but there was a bar fight a few years back. Broke the other guy’s jaw.”

Grace winced. “Wow!”

“In Erik’s defense, from what I read, the other guy threw the first punch. And let’s be real—he played professional hockey. That fight was over before it even started.”

“Is that all? “Grace asked.

“Well you’ll be pleased to know that he wouldn’t be dating you ‘out of curiosity’ as you like to say, Greg laughed. “He has dated older women and Black women before. Do you want more details?”

“No,” Grace laughed. “You know how I feel about White guys who just date Black women out of curiosity.” 

They both laughed.

Grace let out a slow breath. “So, what’s your verdict? Is he a danger to society, can I continue spending time with him, or should I get a cross, holy water, and wolfsbane?”

They were both laughing hysterically now.

“I think you’re safe,” Greg finally said after catching his breath.

After Gregory finished giving his assessment, Grace sighed. “You sound like you approve.”

Gregory smirked. “I wouldn’t say that. But he seems solid. A little broody, but no red flags.”

There was a pause before Gregory spoke again, softer this time.

“You sound happy.” Grace leaned back into the chair, staring out the window at the moonlit landscape. “I think I am.”

There was a pause, then she asked, “What about you? What are you working on?”

Gregory hesitated. “I’ve been diving back into our family history. The legacy of the Pullman Porters, Black migration into Manitoba. You know, the usual.”

“And what else? Grace pressed. “You always have several projects on the table.”

“Just a few stories about environmental issues,” Gregory assured her.

She didn’t push. Instead, she switched topics. “The Rudenkos invited you up for Christmas.”

Gregory raised an eyebrow. “They did, huh?”

“I’d love for you to come,” Grace said sincerely. “You should meet Erik, and you’d love the Rudenkos. They remind me of family. Plus, you need a break. You can’t work all the time, Rabbit.”

“They’re probably already booked for Christmas,” Gregory replied.

“From what I learned tonight, the B&B is busiest in the Spring and Summer. This time of year, they are busy selling the Christmas, giving sleigh rides and hosting day visitors,” said Grace. “If they are booked, you can bunk in my room.”

Gregory exhaled, glancing out at the cityscape once more. “Ok, count me in for Christmas.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Maybe I’ll stay for a week or two. Spend some time with you. Meet this Erik guy.”

Grace beamed. “You’ve made me very happy, Rabbit.”

Gregory didn’t tell her that he had another reason for coming—he wanted to meet with Ahyoka Lavoie and find out what she knew about Daniel LaChance’s death.

But for now, didn’t want to spoil his sister’s happiness or cause her to worry.

“Get some sleep, Sis,” he said. “I’ll see you soon. Love you” Grace’s voice was soft, full of warmth. “Love you too, Rabbit.”

As they hung up, Gregory leaned back into the sofa, staring at the Winnipeg skyline.

He had a feeling this Christmas was going to change everything.

He had no doubt that Erik was falling for Grace, and she was falling for him. And as much as his sister could handle herself, Gregory would sleep a little easier thinking that Grace had someone else looking out for her.

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