Vinegar Pie by Varinia

For years, Varinia Jewell yearned for Arnie to one day look her direction. When her parents invite him and his widower father to join them for Christmas dinner, she decides to bake him one of her favorite pies—lemon meringue. During the hours on the day before Christmas when she knows no one will be about, she starts to bake her pie. She discovers the lemons she purchased are missing. With no time to shop for more before Christmas dinner, she must decide on a different dessert.

Arnie Dickens worked hard to establish himself as a farrier and part-time help in his widower father’s livery. Varinia caught his eye shortly after he arrived in town. However, due to not having built his business big enough to support a wife, he held back until recently. In spite of her quiet ways and her younger sister, Betsy, usually by her side, he finds he enjoys his visits with Varinia at church and other social gatherings. When the Jewell family invites him and his father to join them for Christmas dinner, he knows it is time to arrange a few quiet minutes alone with Varinia. Only, Christmas dinner ends up being anything but quiet.

You also might enjoy my 2024 book in this series, LEMON COOKIES BY LISBETH, the Christmas romance for Varinia's sister.