Page 23 of A Cowboy's Halloween

Heather’s smile brightened at Jack’s effusive praise, his words warming her heart.

“You know, Heather, meeting you and getting to work on this project together has been such a blessing,” he continued sincerely. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you on board and to have you in my life.”

His words were heartfelt and genuine, reflecting not only his appreciation for Heather’s skills but also the growing connection he felt with her. Jack’s joy and gratitude for the path their friendship was taking were evident in his every word and expression.

“You’ve brought so much to this event, Heather,” he said with gratitude, “and I’m truly grateful. I can’t wait to see this Haunted Harvest come to life with you by my side.”

As they continued their preparations, Jack’s excitement and appreciation for Heather remained unwavering. He knew that the night of the Haunted Harvest would be one to remember, not only because of the spine-tingling makeup transformations but also because of the special bond that was growing between them.

Despite his words, though, Heather kept quiet. She hadn’t said one word, and he didn’t know if he had said something wrong. He certainly hoped not.

Sensing that Heather was possibly overwhelmed, Jack decided to engage in an act of camaraderie that might help her feel more at ease. He offered to be the canvas for her makeup artistry, not only as a way to demonstrate his trust in her skills but also as a gesture of solidarity.

“Heather, how about you use your incredible makeup talents on me?” he suggested, trying to be supportive. “It might help you relax a bit, and I’d love to see what you can come up with.”

Heather’s eyes brightened at the offer, appreciating the opportunity to focus on her craft and perhaps regain her sense of ease through her work.

“That sounds nice, Jack. Thank you.”

“But that’s only if your wrist isn’t hurting you.”

“It’s been…” She wrinkled her nose.

“If you’re hurting—”

“I took some medicine.”

“I don’t want you to risk overdoing it. You really don’t have to—”

“Trust me. If it was too much, I wouldn’t be willing to do it. I have to do it again tomorrow. I can and will do this.”

“If you’re sure…”

She nodded.

As Jack took a seat in the makeup chair, he trusted Heather to create a character that would fit right into the spooky atmosphere of the Haunted Harvest. It was a moment of connection and understanding between them, a way for Jack to show his support and appreciation for Heather’s artistry and a chance for Heather to express herself creatively.

With Jack as her canvas, Heather’s quiet unease began to dissipate as she channeled her energy into her craft, giving Jack a truly memorable and spine-tingling transformation. The longer he sat, the happier he became. It served as a reminder of the unique bond they were building and the exciting journey they were on together as they prepared for the Haunted Harvest.

As Heather began to work her makeup magic on Jack, Jack found it challenging to contain his excitement and enthusiasm. He couldn’t help but engage in conversation and share his thoughts as she meticulously applied the makeup.

“Heather, this is so fascinating! How do you come up with these amazing makeup ideas?”

Heather sighed. “I can’t do your makeup if you keep moving.”

“I’m not moving!”

She lowered her arms and lifted her eyebrows. “Every time you talk, your lips move.”

“Oh.”

“Yes.”

“Well… I’ll try to stop.”

She shook her head and glanced away. “It’s a combination of creativity, inspiration, and a love for the art. I draw inspiration from all sorts of things, from movies to nature. It’s about bringing a character to life through makeup.”

Jack nodded, eager to learn more and engage with Heather in the midst of her artistic process. He was genuinely fascinated by her work and couldn’t contain his admiration.

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