Page 3 of A Cowboy's Halloween

Every year since Jack had turned six and Roy had been seven, Parker had been three, and Ronald had been one, they had started the beloved tradition and enjoyed the Halloween classic together.

The brothers settled into their cozy Halloween-themed living room. They dimmed the lights, making the orange and purple string lights glow more prominently, creating a spooky yet comfortable atmosphere.

Jack set up the movie on the screen, making sure the volume was just right for the upcoming Halloween treat. As the iconic film began, the brothers got comfortable on the couch and grabbed their bowls of popcorn.

Throughout the movie, they laughed at the antics of the Sanderson sisters—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary—and their comical attempts to wreak havoc in modern-day Salem. They cheered for Max, Dani, and Allison as they tried to outsmart the witches and save the children.

Between the scenes, they shared fond memories of previous Halloweens and their favorite moments from the movie. The costumes, decorations, and the warm company of the family made the experience even more enjoyable.

As the end credits rolled, Jack and his brothers couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and contentment. They had successfully continued their cherished tradition, and it had brought them closer once again.

After enjoying their tradition and savoring the Halloween movie night, Jack and his brothers decided to indulge in more Halloween treats. Perhaps they had a variety of candy and desserts on hand to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Jack made his brothers show off their costumes in an impromptu showcase that had all of them laughing. Jack’s stomach started to hurt from laughing so hard.

“Since it’s movie night, we should watch another one,” Jack said.

It didn’t take them too long to settle on The Nightmare Before Christmas, which had been Ronald’s favorite movie as a kid to the point that there was a good stretch of two to three months where he would force them to watch the movie every day.

Once this movie was finished, Jack and his brothers played a Halloween-themed board game to keep the festive spirit alive.

To add a touch of suspense to the night, they shared some spooky ghost stories and tales of their own Halloween adventures.

There wasn’t time for it, but Jack planned on setting aside the Halloween crafts he wondered if they would have time to do. He also eyed the pumpkins they weren’t going to carve. It would’ve been a nice touch to further enhance the holiday atmosphere, but it wasn’t as if tonight was Halloween. The thirty-first was two weeks from tonight.

Which also meant it wouldn’t be worthwhile to do a moonlit walk. For the most part, the people in Shooting Star Canyon hadn’t yet put out their Halloween decorations.

As the night came to a close, Jack and his brothers Roy, Parker, and Ronald prepared to say their goodbyes. They had enjoyed a memorable evening, and Jack was already wondering about what they might do on October thirtieth, since most of them would want to stick around by their apartment doors for the kiddos in their complexes that would come around.

Jack yawned and stretched. “Well, guys, it’s been an amazing night. I’m so glad we could continue our tradition.”

Roy nodded. “Absolutely, Jack. It was a blast, as always.”

Parker smiled. “Thanks for hosting, Jack. The decorations and movie choices were top-notch.”

“Yeah, and dressing up was so much fun!” Ronald shook his head. “I still can’t believe that we all dressed up, and you were the only one not to, Jack!”

Jack shrugged, and everyone laughed. “Thanks, everyone,” he said gratefully. “I couldn’t have asked for a better night with my favorite people.”

They patted each other on the back, and Jack and Ronald gave each other a one-armed hug.

Jack turned to the door. “All right. Drive safe, guys. And remember, it’s not even Halloween yet. Plenty more Halloween fun can be had!”

Roy waved. “We will, Jack. Thanks again for tonight.”

Parker nodded. “Take care, and happy Halloween!”

Ronald rubbed his hands together. “Goodnight, Jack! Can’t wait to see what else you have planned for Halloween this year!”

With final waves and smiles, the brothers parted ways, each heading to their own homes with hearts full of Halloween spirit and the anticipation of many more spooky and memorable celebrations in the years to come.

After Jack shut the door, his mind was already churning with ideas about what to do next. Normally, they would have their movie night much closer to Halloween.

And then a brilliant idea came to him. He could turn Hidden Creek Orchard, the ranch he and his brothers worked at in Shooting Star Canyon, into a haunted ranch to raise money for charity!

The more he thought about the idea, the more he loved it. He started to excitedly pace in his apartment.

“It would be so much fun,” he murmured to himself, “and we could make a real difference in the community.”

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