Page 32 of A Cowboy's Halloween

James Reynolds grinned. “Yeah, we’ve been practicing our creepy moves all week.”

Jack chuckled, appreciating their dedication. “That’s the spirit! Just a heads up, Heather will be here soon to help with your makeup. She’s incredibly talented, and I’m sure she’ll make you all look terrifying.”

Riley Foster brushed back her long black hair. “I thought about dyeing my hair, but I couldn’t go through with it.”

“Dyeing your hair?” Jack didn’t understand.

“Straw… isn’t black.” She laughed. “But I couldn’t go through with it, so I thought about a wig instead, but none of them looked natural, so I figured it was better to just wait for the makeup.”

“You definitely don’t have to dye your hair, but I appreciate the enthusiasm!”

Then, Jack made sure the scare actors had everything they needed. He was confident that their performance in the haunted corn maze would add an extra layer of fright to the event and make it a memorable experience for the visitors. These volunteers were committed to making the Haunted Harvest a spine-tingling experience for all who attended.

After ensuring that the scare actors for the haunted corn maze were ready for their makeup session, Jack moved on to check on the pumpkin patch and the various pumpkin-related activities that had been planned for the Haunted Harvest event.

He found Ronald overseeing the pumpkin patch, making sure the pumpkins were displayed attractively and that there were plenty of options for visitors to choose from. Families and visitors would have the opportunity to pick their own pumpkins, adding an interactive and festive element to the event.

Jack nodded with approval. “Great job with the pumpkin patch, Ronald. It looks fantastic.”

Ronald grinned. “Thanks, Jack. We’ve got pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. It’s going to be a hit.”

Next, Jack checked in with the team responsible for pumpkin-related activities, including pumpkin carving stations, pumpkin painting, and a pumpkin pie contest. It was essential to make sure that these activities were well-organized and that all the necessary supplies were in place.

As he went about overseeing these details, Jack couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction and excitement. The Haunted Harvest was coming together, and he knew that the combined efforts of everyone involved would make it a memorable event for the community and a successful fundraiser for their chosen charity.

Approaching the zombie transformation station, Jack spotted Heather, who was busy setting up her makeup supplies and getting ready to work her magic on the volunteers who would be transformed into zombies for the Haunted Harvest. Jack was determined to be supportive, professional, and friendly while respecting the boundaries he sensed were important to Heather.

“Hey, Heather, everything ready for our zombie crew tonight?” he asked warmly.

Heather looked up from her preparations and managed a small smile. “Hey, Jack. Yeah, we’re all set up here. These brave souls are ready to become the walking dead.”

Jack nodded, eager to assist in any way he could to ensure the transformation process went smoothly. He fetched some extra supplies and handed them to Heather with a friendly gesture.

“Need any more of these?” he asked. “Just let me know.”

Heather’s tension seemed to ease a bit as they worked together, and Jack’s presence, while friendly, was respectful of the boundaries she had set. They focused on their roles for the evening, both determined to make the Haunted Harvest a spooktacular success and maintain their professional yet friendly connection.

Throughout the afternoon, Jack continued to be kind and sweet to Heather, making an effort to maintain a friendly and supportive demeanor.

When Heather struggled with a heavy box of makeup supplies, her arms trembling under the weight, Jack immediately noticed her predicament. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprang into action, determined to lend a helping hand.

“Heather, let me get that for you.”

Heather’s eyes widened with gratitude as Jack reached for the box, effortlessly taking the burden from her. She let out a relieved sigh. “Oh, Jack, thank you. It’s heavier than it looks.”

Jack flashed her a reassuring smile as he held the box securely. “No problem at all,” he said kindly. “We’re a team tonight, right?”

Heather nodded.

Together, they continued setting up the makeup station, and at that moment, their friendship felt stronger than ever, built on a foundation of mutual support and camaraderie.

Jack engaged in friendly conversation with Heather, discussing topics unrelated to their personal lives. He shared stories about the event, talked about the charity they were supporting, and cracked a few light-hearted jokes to keep the atmosphere positive and relaxed.

Jack’s kind and sweet gestures were a testament to his genuine friendship and professionalism, allowing Heather to feel at ease while they worked side by side to create an unforgettable Haunted Harvest.

Bouncing around from point to point to get ready for when the Haunted Harvest would start, Jack made sure to return and check in on Heather and make sure she had everything she needed. He wanted to ensure that she had everything she needed to carry out her makeup transformations with ease and efficiency. He especially didn’t want her to overdo it and make her injury worse. His caring and considerate nature shone through in his actions.

“Heather, do you have enough makeup brushes for the evening? If you need more, just let me know.”

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