American Pie by Maggie Osborne Read Free Book Online Page B

the two hens Lucie had purchased for the occasion. While they worked Lucie told Greta about her lessons at the nearby settlement house and Greta told her about the people she lived with. They discussed hairstyles and fashions and which markets were cheapest and how best to travel from here to there.
    "You shouldn't have gone to this expense," Greta said when the hens were prepared for roasting.
    "It isn't everyday that I meet Stefan's betrothed and discover a new sister."
    "Dearest Lucie, I'm so glad I found you." Greta's eyes filled with tears. "With no family and" She lowered her eyes. "Sometimes it's been so lonely." Distress filled her eyes. "I don't mean that Stefan has not been wonderful, I assure you he has. Stefan is the most wonderful man in the world! It's just that"
    "Sometimes we need a sister."
    "Yes! That is it exactly." She took Lucie's hands. "Now I have you and everything is perfect!"
    Lucie decided if she had chosen Stefan's bride herself, she could not have chosen better than Greta Laskowski. Greta's gentle temperament would soften Stefan's impatience. Her utter belief in him would sustain her brother when dreams seemed far away. Instinctively Lucie knew Greta would keep a good house and be a fine mother to Stefan's children.
    Plus, she was lovely. Greta had hair as golden as sunshine and eyes of a deeper, purer blue than any Lucie had observed. Her mouth was small but full and constantly smiling. She was the same height as Lucie but fuller figured, which Lucie admired. If it hadn't been for the slight puffiness left from her recent illness, Greta Laskowski would have been breathtakingly beautiful. It was no wonder Stefan gazed at her with such pride and adoration.
    Because roasting the hens transformed the kitchen into an oven, Stefan carried their chairs to the rooftop and they took their plates upstairs into the air to eat. The rooftop was crowded and noisy, but they had the pleasure of watching a brilliant sunset as the dying sun slipped behind the taller buildings to the west.
    "You see, Stefan," Greta said softly, touching his hand, "we don't have to spend money to have beauty in our lives. A geranium on the windowsill and a lovely sunset"
    "You deserve more," Stefan said gruffly. "I promise, someday you will have a home of your own, and you won't make flowers for other people, you'll wear them yourself!"
    "On silk gowns?" Greta teased.
    "And satin, too! We'll dine out once a week and attend the theater. We'll look back on these days of waiting and doing without and we'll laugh."
    "My dear Stefan, I don't care about silks or satins or dining out. If I can have you and Lucie and a beautiful sunset—and my geraniumsI'll be content." Concealing the action beneath the folds of her dark skirt, she reached for Stefan's hand and they sat in silence, enjoying the cooler air and the nearness of each other, watching the glow from the factories tint the night sky like a second sunset.
    Smiling, Lucie sat quietly, watching her brother and her new sister, observing the small touches, the loving exchange of glances and murmured words. She sensed their joy in each other and thanked heaven for the miracle that had allowed them to find each other in this city teeming with strangers.
    Although she dreaded returning to the heat inside the rooms below, she understood Stefan and Greta wished to be alone. After rising to her feet, she bent to kiss Greta's cheek. "You hardly ate a thing," she murmured near Greta's ear. "Are you certain you're feeling well?"
    "The supper was wonderful, it's only that my appetite seems to rise and fall." A hint of apology rose in her large blue eyes. "Dearest Lucie, I can't bear the thought of offending you. I would have eaten every bite if"
    "No, no, don't apologize. I was merely concerned for your health." She winked at Stefan. "Our Stefan will be pleased by the leftovers in his lunch pail tomorrow." And she could hardly wait for the opportunity to see Jamie Kelly again even though she knew