Patience looked up with a grin when Roger appeared, apparently unnoticed by the dogs, which was just as well. She lowered her knife and patted the swing with her other hand, gesturing for him to join her.
"I suppose it might be," she said with a laugh. "That or the time of year. I haven't been able to stop grinning ever since we started getting deep into October."
And he had an effect on her mood, too. Maybe it was because his compliments were growing on her, or because she was really starting to like him, but she was definitely glad to see him. "Come join me!"