Free Heaven's Touch by Jillian Hart Page A

She’d so loved Ben’s sisters and, judging from the rush of affection within her, that was something thathadn’t changed either. “I was very blessed during that time in my life. How are you?”
    â€œSurviving. This is only my second T-ball game since my boy was little, and things were different then. There were no fancy parks like this for the kids. You play on a team. How come we didn’t see you last week?”
    â€œI was out of town.”
    â€œI hear rumors about you now and then. Traveling to events and competitions. You’re doing something with the college?”
    â€œI’m adjunct to the sports departments. I coach, since a lot of kids on the university teams used to be mine through high school.”
    â€œWas that why you were out of town?”
    â€œNo, I went to visit a friend this time. Tell me—”
    Paige was ready with another question. “A friend? I notice there’s no wedding ring on your finger. Does that mean you’re still looking for the right guy? Or is this friend the one?”
    Was Paige fishing for information, Cadence wondered, or was she simply asking out of courtesy? “No, this is a Romanian diver I met when I was competing. Olga and I struck up a friendship.”
    â€œIs she the one who was supposed to be your big rival?”
    â€œThere was no rivalry, although I think the media tried to put that spin on it. Diving isn’t the most exciting Olympic sport. It’s pretty peaceful, so I imagine that rumor spiced things up a bit during the coverage. But Olga and I have always had the greatest respect for one another. She’s coaching in Australia now, and I had gone down to see her during the Sydney Games…it’s a long story. Anyway, we’ve always kept in touch. She is a true friend.” One who’d stuck with her through thick and thin.
    â€œAnd a great blessing.” Paige seemed to study her, as if she could see past the layers to the truth beneath. “I can’t imagine your life could have been easy then, as beautifully as you dove. It must be a great relief to be back home in Montana.”
    â€œIt’s where I want to be.”
    â€œThen stop by the diner sometime when you’re driving through town to see your mom. You can have a chocolate shake for old times’ sake. And come and visit with me, all right?”
    A sincere invitation. After all she’d been through, Cadence appreciated it. She’d learned the hard way what was truly important. “I’d like that.”
    â€œGood. Now, you have to come to Amy’s wedding.”
    â€œOh, absolutely.” Amy joined them. “The wedding is next month, and I’d love for you to come. I didn’t know you were living back home.”
    â€œI have a place here in Bozeman.”
    â€œThen give me your address and I’ll send an invitation.”
    Amy had grown up to be such a lovely woman, Cadence thought as she waited while the sisters began digging in their purses for pen and paper.
    â€œWhen I think of you, I remember a ten-year-old girl with pigtails,” Cadence confessed. “It’s hard to believe you’re a mom.”
    â€œWestin just turned seven.” Amy pulled a pen from the depths of her purse, while Rachel crowded in with a small notebook from her book bag.
    Cadence gave the required information, aware that the softball game was continuing without her and that Ben had deliberately stepped aside with Amy’s son. Of all the people that ball could have hit, did it have to be him? He seemed to have recovered and perhaps felt uncomfortable, the same way she did, since he’d turned his back to her.
    Since she didn’t believe in coincidence, she had to wonder why Ben McKaslin kept crossing her path. What was God trying to tell her?
    â€œDid you know that Cadence isn’t married?” Paige seemed to be speaking with her sisters, but a sparkle glinted in her eyes as