Hands patted gently at his cheek, as though afraid he'd break under too much force.

He patted his shirt at belt level before and behind.

He reached down without looking and patted the one at his knee.

He would pat the magazine at every opportunity to confirm his status as a man of letters.

James climbed into bed and patted the mattress at his side.

The two men rose from the ground, patting away at their clothes.

"Up here," she said, patting the place at the head of her bed where he usually slept.

She patted a spot at her side that would close the circle.

He patted the machine gun on its strap at his chest.

Her hands went out and patted at their heads.