Good company was probably the best reason to have someplace like that close by - it was what he most disliked about living alone and in the country. It wasn't as though he couldn't travel wherever he wanted, but he generally didn't, unless he had a reason. It would have been nice - would have helped his sanity a little, really - to have somewhere he go that wasn't all children or parents or work.
Her garden, though, reminded him of one of the things he did like about where he'd grown up - it looked a little wild, though well-cared for, and it brought a small smile to his face. His years of tending to the ancient rose bushes and other things that grew up around his house hadn't produced anything so very spectacular, but it felt warm, to him, and home-like, much like this. And the interior suited her - it was charming.
"Your place is great," he said quietly, turning to face her after surveying it briefly. "Perfect, really. I love your garden." It didn't feel empty at all, which was what he was most attuned to at the moment.