Lemon Cookies by Lisbeth

     Much to Elizabeth Jewell’s disappointment, she failed to capture Arnie’s affections. All along, his heart belonged to her sister. The lemon cookies she prepared for Christmas dessert had been a flop. At least his “black sheep” cousin, Roy, had appreciated the trick she played. In spite of everyone else angry at her for trying to make her sister look bad in an attempt to get her way, thanks to Roy, she survived the Christmas debacle.

      Following Roy’s suggestion, she starts a business making and selling hand pies. First, though, she chooses to shed her reputation of “Little Betsy,” the immature younger Jewell daughter. She informs all that from now on, she is to be addressed as Lisbeth. Determined to become a businesswoman instead of a flighty female focused only on fashion and gossip, she soon finds herself enjoying greater respect and self-esteem. However, she often wonders—will she ever find a man who will love her?

     As the holidays approach, Lisbeth wonders if Roy, still working on a railroad crew, will be able to get off work long enough to join his family and hers for Christmas dinner. Hoping she will see him again, she plans to once more make her lemon cookies. After all, in exchange for him helping her out of the trouble she brought on herself the previous year, she promised that this year she would make a whole batch just for him.