Page 40 of A Cowboy's Halloween

His heart fell, though. The thought of having the Haunted Harvest without Heather around just didn’t sit right with him. She had been such a huge part of it all, and she was back to smiling, and things were no longer awkward between them.

Until now.

When he was going to lose her.

Not that he had ever had her.

He gulped. “Your career is more important of course.”

“Charity work is important too,” she hedged.

“If you’re around and free, we would love to have you, but you’re right. You have to go where the work is.”

She nodded.

Jack realized a line was starting to form for Heather’s services, and he waved to her and left her to it.

With Heather’s words about her career aspirations weighing on his mind, Jack decided to check in on his brothers. He knew that the success of the event largely depended on their hard work at Hidden Creek Orchard, and he wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly.

Jack started with his older brother Roy, who had been a vital part of planning and executing the Haunted Harvest. As he approached Roy, he noticed his brother overseeing the pumpkin patch area.

“Hey, Roy! How’s everything going over here?”

“Jack! It’s going great.” Roy smiled. “The pumpkin patch is bustling, and folks are having a blast picking out their pumpkins.”

Jack and Roy exchanged a few words about the event’s progress, and Jack couldn’t help but feel grateful for his brothers’ unwavering support. Roy’s dedication to making the Haunted Harvest a success was evident, and Jack appreciated the strong bond they shared as siblings.

Jack’s visit was filled with a sense of admiration and pride. Roy had always been the reliable and responsible one in the family, and his dedication to the Haunted Harvest was no exception.

Jack looked around with appreciation. “Roy, you’ve really outdone yourself with the pumpkin patch. It looks fantastic.”

“Thanks, Jack. It’s a real team effort,” Roy said modestly. “Parker, Ronald, Colton, Lawrence, Myles, and the others have all been putting in their hard work.”

Jack couldn’t agree more. It was the collective effort of the Griffin brothers and their friends that made the Haunted Harvest a reality. As he watched Roy interact with visitors, helping them select the perfect pumpkins and sharing stories about the orchard, Jack couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of family pride.

“You know, Roy, seeing you here with the folks, it reminds me of why we do this,” Jack said slowly. “It’s about bringing our community together and creating memories.”

Rod nodded. “Absolutely, Jack. That’s what it’s all about.”

The two brothers shared a moment of brotherly connection amidst the Halloween festivities. They may have had their differences and responsibilities, but their shared love for Hidden Creek Orchard and their commitment to making the Haunted Harvest a cherished tradition bound them together in a special way.

After his visit with Roy, Jack made his way to find his brother Parker, who had been overseeing various aspects of the Haunted Harvest. As Jack approached, he saw Parker coordinating the scarecrow alley area, where families and friends were creating their spooky straw-filled companions.

Jack smiled. “Parker, how’s the scarecrow alley looking tonight?”

“It’s a hit!” Parker said enthusiastically. “People are getting really creative with their scarecrows, and there’s a great atmosphere here.”

Jack couldn’t help but be impressed by Parker’s enthusiasm and ability to engage with visitors. Parker had a knack for making people feel at ease and helping them tap into their creativity.

“That’s awesome, Parker. You’ve got a real talent for this,” Jack said proudly.

Parker grinned. “Thanks, Jack, but I couldn’t do it without the folks who come here and make their scarecrows. It’s their enthusiasm that makes this place come alive.”

As the two brothers exchanged a few more words about the event’s success, Jack was reminded of how each of his brothers brought their unique skills and personalities to the Haunted Harvest. Parker’s warmth and creativity were a vital part of the experience, and Jack was grateful to have him by his side in this Halloween adventure.

With visits to Roy and Parker behind him, Jack continued his rounds to check in on his younger brother Ronald, who had been tasked with managing the pumpkin-related activities in the pumpkin patch. As he approached the area, Jack couldn’t help but notice the joyful laughter of children and families enjoying the festivities.

Jack smiled. “Ronald, looks like you’ve got quite the crowd here at the pumpkin patch!”

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