Free American Pie by Maggie Osborne Page A

above their hats. Lucie kept her gaze trained steadfastly on the dirty tobacco-stained straw at their feet.
    Before they left the horse car to enter Battery Park, Lucie lifted an irritated frown to Greta. "Why are you nudging me?" she asked. Immediately she apologized for her tone. "I'm sorry, Greta. It's crowded, and I'm hot and out of sorts." And she kept thinking of Jamie, of how achingly handsome he had looked. And the courage he had displayed in seeking out Stefan. And she thought sadly of the roses scattered and wilting in the courtyard dust. Tears rose in her eyes and she blinked them back with difficulty.
    "Was I nudging you?" Greta inquired with exaggerated innocence. She met Lucie's gaze with a meaningful look, suggesting a message that could not be stated aloud. When Lucie raised her eyebrows, too distracted to comprehend, Greta darted a glance at Stefan, then lifted her glove to straighten her hat. Still-watching Lucie, she tilted the brim in a definite nod toward the end of the car.
    Puzzled, Lucie turned toward the back windows. Immediately her heart leaped against her rib cage. Jamie Kelly was one of the men riding outside, hanging on to the bumper handles. For an instant his twinkling gaze met hers, then the crowd shifted inside the car and he was lost from view. Feeling the sudden heat in her cheeks and tremor in her fingertips, Lucie shot a glance of gratitude toward Greta. Truly Greta was her sister.
    Greta winked. "Are we almost there? It's so dreadfully hot in here. Though better than walking," she added quickly. Walking made her legs ache.
    When they alighted from the horse car, Greta took one of Stefan's arms and Lucie accepted the other. It was all she could do not to peer at the crowd around them in hope of catching a glimpse of Jamie. Guilt intensified the sun's warmth on her cheeks. It was wrong to defy Stefan but heaven help her, she could not prevent herself from searching for Jamie Kelly. A pang of disappointment drove the color from her face when she did not find him. Perhaps he had remained with the horse car as it swung around and started back uptown.
    Stefan located a shaded bench within sight of the bandstand, draped in red, white and blue bunting, then he departed with a minimum of words to purchase flavored ices from the pushcart vendors working the crowds strolling along the boulevard. When he had gone Greta turned on the bench to take Lucie's hand.
    "It's so romantic! No wonder you've refused our efforts to find you a suitor. But you didn't say a word. My dearest sister, you must tell me everything!"
    "Oh, Greta," she whispered, turning her eyes to watch the bright sails cutting through the harbor waters. "I've longed to tell you." An inner glow lit her eyes as she confided how she had met Jamie Kelly. She confessed their secret smiles and yearning glances when she delivered Stefan's lunch pail to the construction site. "He makes me feel, I can't explain it." A frown appeared on her face. "All fluttery and warm inside." Now a blush fired her cheeks. "Am I foolish to feel so strongly about someone I know so little?"
    Greta regarded her with a soft expression. "But you know quite a lot about your Jamie Kelly. You know he's determined, and a bit stubborn." She smiled. "He certainly showed courage to fight our Stefan. He's a hard worker. And a man of honor. And he's very handsome." Taking Lucie's hand in hers, she smiled again and murmured,"Besides, who can resist when love's elbow strikes?" When she saw Stefan returning, Greta pressed Lucie's fingers and leaned to her ear. "I'll do what I can to help."
    "Thank you," Lucie said gratefully. "If Stefan will listen to anyone, it will be you." Then she experienced the amazement of flavored ice, her exclamations bringing smiles to Greta and Stefan's lips.
    Stefan winked at Greta, his good humor restored. "Quick, eat yours before Lucie snatches it from your hand."
    But shaved ice on a hot July day was to be savored and they nibbled slowly,