'Jane's Christmas Memory' is the third of three stories in Christmas Memories at Grace Chapel Inn, book 48 in Tales From Grace Chapel Inn. That is a series about three sisters who run a bed-and-breakfast from their maternal ancestors' Victorian house in the village of Acorn Hill, Pennsylvania. Their late father, Daniel Howard, had been the pastor of nearby Grace Chapel, hence the name.

Louise's Christmas memory was set when she and Alice were children and Jane in the womb. Alice's Christmas memory was set when their father was still alive and the other two sisters lived away from Acorn Hill.

Jane's Christmas memory is set just after their father died and she and Louise returned to open the inn. She decides to organize a cookie drive to make sure the home bound elderly of Acorn Hill have visitors and treats for Christmas. Of course bossy Florence Simpson would like to make it a church affair under her control, but she's stopped. Thanks to Aunt Ethel, there's a double-digit list of persons who are home bound because of illness or injury as well as age. They're not just in Acorn Hill itself but in the surrounding countryside.

Most of the rest of the story involves Jane going around to local shops for errands or to invite others to the cookie party. Even those who can't cook agree to help deliver the goodies.

We get to learn how Jane made some custom cookie cutters for a special treat. There are also instructions for making luminaries that wouldn't work here in Southern Arizona, but should look lovely where it freezes.

Each of the three elderly persons Jane and florist Craig Tracy visit has an interesting story to share. Evelyn Potter talks about being a Civil Defense telephone operator during World War II. Hazel Tucker tells Jane about Alice and a naughty sheep during Jane's first Christmas pageant (she played Baby Jesus). From Duke Gladstone (who considers only frosted sugar cookies to be REAL Christmas cookies), they hear about a train that derailed outside Acorn Hill one Christmas.

The framing sequence tells us how the cookie drive has been handled since, as well as how enough money was donated to heat an elderly shut-in's house the rest of that winter.

This story includes these recipes: Scottish Shortbread, White Chocolate Hermits with Eggnog Glaze, and Mocha Krinkles.

Car lovers: Two of Viola Reed's 14 cats, Diver the tabby and Anna the Siamese, have a cameo. The Howards' big gray tabby, Wendell, has several appearances. ( )