Chapter 129 Dinner Together

"You are going to have dinner with us at the house? Really?" Noelle confirmed with her again and again out of excitement.

"Of course!" Kate said. She knew if she were honest with herself, she would have to admit she missed them too.

"Great! We will see you tonight!" Noelle jumped with joy and hung up the phone.

When Kate put her phone down, she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the troubling thoughts she had. She kept repeating over and over that she was going there to see Cassie and Noelle, and that it had nothing to do with Joseph.

**

That evening, Kate arrived at Smith mansion. Cassie was waiting for her at the front door. It warmed her heart to know that her mother's best friend was treating her just like a daughter. Kate could always feel her mother's love through Cassie.

Kate rushed over and said, "It is windy outside. You should be out here; you might catch a cold."

Cassie ran her fingers through her hair and replied, "I am so happy that you are here! And I will be fine. Don't worry about me! Let's go inside."

Joseph pulled up just as Kate and Cassie were walking in the house, Noelle was in the car with him. She turned to say, "Mother has told me that if you make Kate unhappy, you are to leave. She does not want you to dampen our spirits!"

Though Noelle warned him and everyone around him to take Kate's side, Joseph was thankful. After all, they were defending the woman he loved.

Then Noelle jumped out of the car and yelled, "Wait for me!"

Kate and Cassie both turned around to see Noelle running up the dark pathway.

Cassie said kindly, "Oh my dear, dinner will still be awhile. Why are you running? Besides, if you weren't home, we would have waited to have dinner with you!"

"I know you would have waited for me, but I don't want to look rude. You shouldn't have to wait!"

Cassie and Kate all laughed. Noelle was always outgoing and the source of joy in the Smith family. Kate remembered when her mother was alive that she was as innocent and carefree as Noelle.

"You are so sweet. No wonder everyone likes you," Cassie chuckled.

Noelle blushed, "I don't know if everyone does, but I am sure that Kate and Joseph really do."

"Go inside to chat. Not here."

"Okay," Noelle whispered to Kate, "Don't worry, Grandpa went to visit a friend, and my uncle will not be here. It will be a very relaxing meal."

Kate let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Noelle. She was great at observing; she knew exactly what to say to Kate to put her at ease. Since Noelle knew that Kate viewed family dinners as a chore, she hoped that Kate would be more at ease.

Kate laughed, and Cassie pulled out her phone to take pictures of her two daughters have a great time. She immediately sent them to Joseph, who was still waiting outside.

When dinner was ready, Cassie escorted Kate and Noelle to the dining room. Kate had been there often, but it was the first time she was treated as a guest. She felt much more relaxed and was looking forward to a great meal.

"Sit here, Kate," Cassie smiled.

"Okay!"

After Kate sat down, Noelle sat beside her. She pointed at the dishes on the table and said, "Mother, prepared all of the dishes. Some are your favorites, some are my favorites, and some are Joseph's favorites!"

Cassie suddenly began coughing to remind Noelle, not to mention Joseph.

Noelle blinked and laughed, "Joseph and I like the same dishes."

They were thankful that Kate didn't pay much attention to Noelle's slip up and continued to smile.

"Kate, enjoy yourself. You don't need to be stressed. I know you have been working hard, and it looks like you lost some weight. I am afraid you are going to get too skinny, and the wind will blow you away. You should…"

Before Cassie could say anything more, Joseph walked in.

She asked in surprise, "Joseph, why are you here?"

Cassie acted so naturally as if Joseph really was an unexpected guest. Noelle decided to join in with her mother's act, "Joseph, you arrived just in time. We are about to have dinner; how did you know? Do you want to join us?"

Kate's body immediately tensed up when Joseph appeared, and Cassie noticed that her smile disappeared.

"Your grandfather has gone out for the evening. I don't even expect him home tonight. Come back tomorrow if you are looking for him. Please, don't disturb our meal."

Joseph did not speak; he just stared at Kate's back.

Kate was shocked by how Cassie spoke to her son and did not understand why she was so cold. It was apparent that Cassie loved Joseph and that he rarely visited, so Cassie was usually ecstatic when he did.