The Night Stole Softly Down the Hills

The night stole softly down the hills and wrapped the town in darkness. Daylight fled, going with the sun as it slipped beneath the western horizon. Now, a sense of tranquility and the far away sounds of the forest blotted out the cares of the day. Down in the hollow, an owl hooted. Another answered. A sign of coming rain? Snow? Was there an extra chill in the air that had to do with winter?

It was a good night for firesides and quiet conversation. It was a time for thinking over the activities of the day, for remembering. Mistakes, harsh words, worrisome thoughts discarded, thrown away; for they had no place in the peace of the night. Only good, warm memories were allowed in to comfort and cheer.

Ned knew when the snow began. She didn’t have to look out the window. She could sense it in the popping of the fire, the hush of the wind. Penny knew too. She lept on the sofa and snuggled against Ned’s side. All within Granger’s Mansion was at rest in the stillness of the winter night.

Cozy Mysteries by Blanche Day Manos. Homespun mysteries with a lot of coziness and an equal amount of spine-tingling shivers.