Knit to Be Tied Read Online Free Page A

but their pitcher is really sharp.So I don’t know if the guys can pull off a win this time. Greg hit a homer, but Marty struck out.”
    â€œSteee-rike one!” the umpire’s voice called.
    â€œUh-oh,” Jennifer said, staring at the ball field.
    â€œThat’s Steve at bat,” Pete observed. “He’ll hit it out.”
    â€œI sure hope so,” Kelly said, watching the pitcher catch the baseball thrown from the catcher. “That pitcher has a wicked fastball. The best I’ve seen in this league. Must be a newcomer because I haven’t seen him before.”
    The pitcher began his windup and let fly. The ball whizzed toward the plate. Steve swung hard . . . and missed. The ball was safe inside the catcher’s mitt.
    â€œSteee-rike two!” the umpire called.
    â€œWow, he is fast,” Pete said, looking surprised.
    Kelly watched Steve stretch the bat behind his shoulders, then take a couple of practice swings before settling into his stance again.
    The pitcher retrieved the tossed ball again, wound up, and whipped it toward home plate. This time, Steve swung and connected, sending the ball toward left field.
    Kelly, Jennifer, and Pete all broke into loud cheers as did the fans on the bleachers behind them. Steve barely made it to second base as the left fielder sent the ball to the second baseman.
    â€œWow! That sure made up for the strikes,” Pete said with a grin.
    â€œIt sure does. Now it’s a ball game.” She jerked her thumb toward the bleachers. “Lisa and Megan are there with Cassie and Eric. Do you want me to get you guys something from the concession stand? I’m starving for a hot dog.”
    â€œNaw, I’m good,” Pete said. “Jen, do you want anything?”
    â€œI’ll go with Kelly and get some snacks for the kids. Eric’s mom and dad are taking Cassie and Eric and some of their friends to the movies tonight after the game,” Jennifer said as she followed after Kelly.
    â€œIt’s so good that the kids are doing things in a group,” Kelly said as she and Jennifer joined the back of the concession stand line.
    â€œOh, yeah.” Jennifer nodded. “We don’t want them pairing off too early.”
    Kelly smiled at her dear friend’s parental observation. Ever since Pete’s niece Cassie had moved in with Jennifer and Pete two years ago, Kelly and friends had witnessed a fascinating transformation. Pete and Jennifer became parents, in fact. Pete’s grandfather Ben had been raising Cassie on his own until his massive heart attack two years ago. Cassie was only a toddler when her mother, Tanya, Pete’s music-loving sister, had tired of her brief stint as a mother and went back to her former lifestyle—following one rock band after another as they played all over the Rocky Mountain West. Boyfriends came and went, it seemed to Kelly. Tanya would show up once a year or so for a quick visit and then hit the road again. A wayward spirit.
    Kelly glanced at her close friend Jennifer and noticed a different expression on her face. A worried expression. Curious, Kelly asked, “Is something wrong, Jen? You look like you’re worrying about something. Either that, or you have a stomachache.” She smiled.
    Jennifer gave Kelly a half smile in return. “Boy, we know each other so well, we can’t hide a thing.”
    Concerned now, Kelly leaned forward. “What’s up? Are you okay? Is Pete okay?”
    â€œWe’re good. We’re good.” Jennifer nodded. “It’s not us. It’s . . . it’s Tanya. Pete’s had a couple of phone calls from her.”
    â€œWhat kind of phone calls? Does she need money or something?”
    Jennifer shook her head. “No, no. She’s been asking to see Cassie. Or rather, have Cassie come down and stay with her in Denver for a while.”
    Kelly didn’t like the sound of that at all.