Free American Pie by Maggie Osborne

face inches from Jamie's and spoke through teeth as tightly clenched as his fists. "Never," he growled, the word coming from deep in his throat. "I would rather put my sister on a ship returning to Poland!"
    Lucie gasped and turned her face into Greta's shoulder. Nose to nose, the two men stared into each other's eyes.
    "I care for your sister, and I believe she cares for me. If you ask her, I believe she will"
    Stefan's hand shot forward and he slapped the roses from Jamie's hand. "I am the head of this family," he roared. "I will decide who calls on my sister and who does not! And she can do a damned sight better than some arrogant Irish son of a"
    "Stefan!" Greta's anxious voice reminded him that ladies were present.
    "Get out!" Stefan said between his teeth. With an obvious exercise of willpower, he lowered his arms to his sides but his hands remained clenched in fists.
    "I shall return, Mr. Kolska," Jamie promised, speaking firmly. "I will continue to return until I receive your permission." Without glancing at the roses scattered in the dry gray dust, he inclined his head to Lucie and Greta holding Lucie's stricken gaze, then he walked out of the courtyard and turned into the opening leading to Elizabeth Street.
    "Oh, Stefan," Lucie whispered, blinking at the roses. Tears glistened in her eyes. "I beg you to reconsider."
    "Never!" His scowl swung to her. "No," he said sharply when she would have bent to retrieve the roses. "How do you know Jamie Kelly?" Stepping forward he deliberately ground one of the blossoms under the heel of his boot.
    Slowly, Lucie raised her head. "I met Mr. Kelly at Ellis Island. Petor asked him to watch over me while he looked for you. He was kind to me, Stefan." Angry that she was not permitted to have the roses, she straightened her shoulders and matched his dark scowl. "Please, Stefan, I would like permission to see him."
    "I won't hear of it! We shall speak no more of this."
    Astonished by a rebelliousness she had not suspected she possessed, Lucie faced him with flaming cheeks and trembling hands. "I thought you cared for me, Stefan. Don't you love me enough to care for my happiness?"
    It was his turn to be astonished. "Of course I care about you. I love you enough to spare you a painful mistake."
    Deeply distressed, Greta looked anxiously from one hurt and angry face to the other. Then she cast a quick glance toward the people listening in the courtyard and those gazing with interest from the sagging fire escapes above.
    Stepping between Stefan and Lucie, she linked arms with each and pressed their arms to her side. "Please don't quarrel," she begged, her beautiful eyes pleading with them to make peace. "We have a lovely outing planned. Please, let's not spoil it."
    For the first time since Lucie's arrival, Stefan glared at Greta. "This has to be finished."
    Gently, Greta touched his cheek. "An angry word cannot be recalled. Perhaps the subject would benefit by resting a little?"
    Although Lucie conceded the wisdom of Greta's advice, she too wished an immediate resolution. But she did not wish to continue the confrontation before the interested eyes and listening ears of their neighbors. Indecision clouded her expression and the sharpness faded from her eyes. But high color burned on her cheeks and she remained tight-lipped, defiant.
    "We'll discuss this later," Stefan snapped.
    Only the thought of Jamie Kelly gave her the courage not to quail before Stefan's angry glare. "Indeed we shall!"
    The pressure Greta exerted on their arms propelled them forward toward Elizabeth Street "I haven't had flavored ice since last summer," she said brightly, smiling up at Stefan. "Won't it be lovely?" To Lucie she added enthusiastically, "The cherry flavor is my favorite, though blueberry is also nice."
    If it hadn't been for Greta's determined conversation, not a word would have been uttered during the stifling ride in the horse car. Stefan clasped the ceiling strap and stared fixedly out the window