Evergreen Chase (Shady Hollow #3.5)

by Juneau Black

No mere snowfall could keep her from enjoying this day, especially since the morning was starting with coffee—glorious coffee.

The snow had draped the town in a lovely blanket of white, bedecking the roofs of the buildings and creating a layer of frosting on each tree branch.

The thought of frosting naturally brought up a desire for a frosted cinnamon roll,

red and white chrysanthemums,

Reference

The winter solstice—the shortest day and the longest, darkest night—was cause for major celebration in Shady Hollow.

And who knows more about all things dark than a raven?

(sometimes by Vera herself, though she shared credit with the many friends and neighbors who helped).

Modest she is

“Oh, Shady Hollow always puts a gigantic pine tree in the town square, and everyone contributes to decorating it. On solstice night, we gather to celebrate the turning of the year and the eventual return of the light.”

There is a special kind of excitement in such events: the familiarity of tradition for the older residents, the novelty of it for the younger, and, for everyone, the subtle joy of joining in a thing greater than oneself.

“We only gnaw on dentist-approved wood products,”

This made me audibly laugh

What she wanted most was to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea by her fireplace.

If we act like this theft is no big deal, then it will be no big deal.

chrysanthemum

note again

“Over the years, the cops burned or tore down most of the old warehouses along the river, usually when they discovered them being used for…um, let’s say merchandise that lost its way. But the cops didn’t get all the warehouses; they missed ones that are tucked away on tributaries or behind bluffs.

I love Lefty so much!!! <3

“Shady Hollow deserves its solstice celebration.”

Collective problems don’t have individual solutions.” “Have you been reading alternative-economics books again?” Vera asked. “Bleak times call for bleak texts,” Lenore said.

“Well, the story has a happy ending,” Lenore said, “for those who are into that sort of thing.”

“We got the tree back,” Orville said solemnly, “but the solstice comes every year no matter what. It’s the longest night, but it’s the turning point. From here on out, things get brighter.”