"That's what everyone tells me," Cathy replied dryly, shooting the puppy a look. Reb returned the glare with an innocent look of his own, the doggy-smile reminding her of why she couldn't stay mad at him for very long. He really was a good dog, and she would never trade him for the world, even if he did chew her shoes and drag her through mud on a daily basis.
She accepted the offer of help, lifting herself to her feet and offering a smile. The name she recognized from the boards, though she figured it would go without saying once she introduced herself. "Thank you. I'm Cathy McDonald-- it's good to meet you." As she tightened her grip on the dog's leash, wrapping the rope around her wrist, she took in her new acquaintance's new landscaping.
"Your yard looks gorgeous. What kind of tree is that?"
So Cathy wasn't the best at small talk, but if there was any hope of a normal interaction that didn't include vampires, demons, or things of an equally sinister nature, she was going to take it.