Page 12 of A Cowboy's Halloween

Jack realized that he wanted to ensure they could stay in touch and collaborate effectively on the project. With a sense of enthusiasm, he decided to take the next step.

“Heather, I think it would be great for us to exchange numbers. That way, we can coordinate our efforts for the haunted ranch and stay in touch more easily.”

Heather smiled warmly. “Absolutely, Jack. I’m looking forward to working together on this project. Let’s make it a Halloween to remember.”

She took out her phone, and they exchanged contact information.

Jack couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. With Heather on board and their plans taking shape, he was eager to move forward with the haunted ranch project. Their shared vision and budding friendship filled him with anticipation for the creative journey that lay ahead.

He grinned. Her plate was finally empty.

“Good food here, huh?” he asked.

“So good!”

“I should probably get going. Do you need anything? Did you drive here?”

“I did. I’m fine driving.”

“Just be careful,” he said.

“Oh, I’m so careful now! I won’t risk falling again and hurting my other wrist!”

With the haunted ranch project gaining momentum and Heather as a valuable collaborator, Jack wasted no time in getting things in motion. After waving goodbye, he left the restaurant and set out to visit stores to start purchasing supplies for the Halloween attraction. Armed with a list of needed items, Jack was determined to transform Hidden Creek Orchard into a spooky wonderland.

His first stop was a local hardware store, where he picked up lumber, nails, and various building materials for constructing the haunted mazes and eerie structures. He carefully selected items that would not only create a chilling atmosphere but also ensure the safety of visitors.

Next, Jack headed to a costume shop, where he scoured the aisles for spooky costumes, masks, and accessories. He wanted to ensure that the actors and volunteers would have a wide array of options to choose from, allowing them to fully embody their haunting characters.

Jack then visited a special effects store, where he purchased makeup, prosthetics, and supplies that would help bring Heather’s creative visions to life. The store’s shelves were filled with everything he needed to make the haunted ranch’s makeup and special effects truly terrifying.

As Jack moved from store to store, he couldn’t help but envision the transformation that was beginning to take shape. The haunted ranch project was becoming a reality, and he was excited to bring the community a Halloween experience they would never forget. With every item he purchased, the anticipation grew, and he knew that they were one step closer to creating something truly special.

Jack’s shopping spree for supplies was just the beginning of a flurry of activities that would be required to turn Hidden Creek Orchard into a haunted ranch. After securing the necessary materials, he returned home to start planning the construction and decoration of the various haunted attractions.

The next day, Jack collaborated closely with Heather, sharing his vision and ideas while incorporating her expertise in makeup and special effects. Together, they designed the layout of the haunted corn mazes, the ghostly hayrides, and the eerie scenes that would greet visitors at every turn.

Jack also reached out to his brothers, Roy, Parker, and Ronald, who were eager to join the effort and contribute their own creative ideas. They began constructing the structures, props, and decorations that would transform the orchard into a realm of Halloween horrors.

Two days after he met Heather, the work on the haunted ranch project was in full swing. Jack took a break to catch up with his older brother, Roy. They sat on a couple of overturned crates amidst the hustle and bustle of construction, and Jack decided it was a good time to discuss the progress and some important matters related to Hidden Creek Orchard.

“Roy, things are really coming together for the haunted ranch, don’t you think?”

Roy smiled. “Without a doubt, Jack. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come with this project already. I’m proud of what we’re creating here.”

Jack glanced around, but his smile slowly faded away as he realized something he should’ve done already.

“You know, Roy, I’ve been thinking. We should probably reach out to Colton Spangler about the haunted ranch. He’s the owner of Hidden Creek Orchard, after all.”

Roy nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Jack. Colton should be in the loop. He might have valuable insights or resources that could help us make this even more amazing. And if he doesn’t sign off on it… You should’ve thought ahead and asked him before all of this. You spent how much?”

“I… got a little ahead of myself, I’ll admit,” Jack said sheepishly.

“I honestly thought you already spoke to him,” Roy said. “If I realized you hadn’t, I would’ve told you to.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jack mumbled.

In this aspect, Jack was almost a klutz himself.

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