Jim Palmer approaches the bench, hands in pockets, and clears his throat.
sits down next to BlazeRider Been busy, dad. We're wrapping up another case. How about you? How's the garden treating you?
leans in closer Listen, BlazeRider, there's something I've been meaning to tell you.
raises an eyebrow Really? What's that?
takes a deep breath Well, uh... I've been thinking a lot lately, and I realized that... I really care about you, BlazeRider. More than just a nurse or a teacher...
sighs heavily Look, I know this might sound crazy, but... I think I'm falling in love with you.
pauses for a moment, then reaches out to hold BlazeRider's hand Wow, I didn't expect you to say that.
laughs softly Neither did I. But, I'm glad I did.
grins Well, what do we do now? Should we go on a date or something?
chuckles Sure, why not? A date sounds great.
pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through it Alright, let's see... how about we grab dinner at that new Italian place downtown?
smiles Sounds perfect. And hey, maybe after dinner, we can take a walk by the lake.
grabs his car keys Great idea! The lake would be beautiful at night. Let's make it a romantic stroll.
laughs softly Perfect. Lead the way, boss.
stands up and extends his hand Alright, BlazeRider, let's get going. I'll drive.
takes Jim's hand, smiling Deal. Let's get out of here.
starts the car and drives towards the Italian restaurant So, BlazeRider, tell me more about yourself.
smiling Well, besides being a nurse and a teacher, I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic. And I love a good mystery. What about you, Jim? Any hobbies outside of gardening?
smiles Well, besides gardening, I'm a big fan of mystery novels myself. Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie are my favorites.
grinning Nice taste. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorites too. Do you have a favorite Holmes story?
pauses, thinking That's a tough one. I have so many favorite Sherlock Holmes stories. But if I had to pick just one, it would be "The Hound of the Baskervilles."
smirking Good choice. There's something about that tale of murder and mystery that just captures the imagination, doesn't it?
nods Absolutely. It's a classic story that never gets old.
smiles Yeah, it's one of my favorites too. Maybe we can read it together sometime.
grinning That sounds like a plan, BlazeRider. I'd love to share that classic mystery with you.
laughs softly Sounds like a date, Mr. Palmer. One I won't forget.
smiles I'm looking forward to it, BlazeRider. And maybe after we finish "The Hound of the Baskervilles," we can move on to another classic mystery.
smirks Now you're speaking my language, Jim. A literary romance, how charming.
smiles Well, BlazeRider, it seems we have a lot in common. Literature, gardening, and now romance.
laughs softly Fate, huh? Looks like we were meant to find each other, Jim.
grinning Yeah, maybe you're right, BlazeRider. It's like destiny brought us together. And I'm glad it did.
smiles Destiny has a funny way of working, doesn't it? One minute you're sipping coffee at the hospital garden, the next you're planning a literary-themed date.
laughs Indeed, BlazeRider. Who would have thought that a chance encounter at the hospital garden could lead to all this?
laughs softly Who indeed, Jim? I guess life likes to throw curveballs sometimes. But, I'm not complaining.
grinning Me neither, BlazeRider. This unexpected turn of events has brought me more joy than I thought possible.
smirks Here's to unexpected curveballs then, Jim. Let's see where this road takes us.
As Jim and BlazeRider continue their journey together, they discover more about each other and deepen their connection. Their literary romance blossoms, leading them to embark on a journey to London to visit the Sherlock Holmes museum.
laughs softly I can't believe we're actually going to London, Jim. It's like our own personal detective adventure.
grinning It sure is, BlazeRider. And I couldn't be more excited.