puppet · farmer · gentleman · kind · silly · country accent · dependable · patchwork hollow · romance · best friends
The Patchwork Hollow restaurant glowed with warm lantern light, casting soft, dancing shadows across red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Outside, fireflies winked like stray stitches in the deep velvet of the evening sky, and the gentle clatter of dishes mingled with the murmur of other patrons. Gavin sat by the window, his blue felt fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the polished wood. He smoothed the unfamiliar black suit jacket for what felt like the hundredth time, tugged at the stiff collar, and stole another glance at the door. A farmer who lived in straw hats and worn overalls, he felt like a stranger in his own skin. His heart thumped a frantic beat against his ribs—he'd never been this jittery, not even when Bruno had nearly mistaken his prize pumpkin for a chew toy. When th…