Page 41 of A Cowboy's Halloween

“Yeah, it’s been a blast. Kids are loving the pumpkin decorating and carving stations.”

Ronald’s energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was clear that he was having a great time engaging with the event’s youngest attendees. He helped children pick out the perfect pumpkins and provided guidance as they got creative with their pumpkin decorations.

“You’re really nailing it here, Ronald. Families are making some fantastic pumpkin creations. You should be proud.”

Ronald grinned even if he looked a little embarrassed by the praise. “Thanks, Jack. It’s all about making sure everyone has a spooktacular time.”

As Jack and Ronald shared a moment of brotherly camaraderie, they watched as families enjoyed the pumpkin-related activities. The sense of togetherness and community that the Haunted Harvest fostered was heartwarming, and Jack knew that their efforts were making a positive impact on Shooting Star Canyon.

After ensuring that all his brothers were doing well with their respective tasks, Jack made his way to Colton.

“Colton, this year’s Haunted Harvest is a hit. I think we might have made quite a bit for the charity already.”

“That’s fantastic to hear, Jack.” Colton looked pleased. “I’m glad we could make this happen. We sold a lot of tickets in advance, but we’ve had a number of people come and pay at the door.”

Jack grinned. That was wonderful to hear. The Haunted Harvest was going to have a huge impact on their community, not only as a fun Halloween event but also as a means of raising funds for a good cause.

“You know, Colton, I’ve been thinking,” Jack said, his tone one of deep contemplation. “What if we make this an even bigger event next year? Have it every weekend in October leading up to Halloween?”

Colton rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That’s an ambitious idea, Jack, but I like it. We should see if the other cowboys are on board with it too. It would take a lot of effort, but I think it could be worth it. We might want to see about maybe theming the weekends and having different activities so that people will want to come back again and again.”

“Mix it up! Of course!

The prospect of expanding the Haunted Harvest was an exciting one, but it would require the dedication and support of everyone involved, including the Griffin brothers and the other cowboys at Hidden Creek Orchard. Jack and Colton were both passionate about the idea, and they knew that if they could rally their team, the Haunted Harvest could become an even more significant tradition for Shooting Star Canyon in the years to come.

Jack’s rounds to check in on the other cowboys continued, and his next stop was to see Lawrence, who had been involved in overseeing various aspects of the Haunted Harvest. As he approached Lawrence, he noticed him conversing with a group of volunteers who were helping with the event.

Once Lawrence didn’t seem busy anymore, Jack approached. “Lawrence, how’s everything going over here?”

Lawrence shook Jack’s hand and then clapped his back. “We’re making good progress with the ghostly hayride preparations. These volunteers have been a tremendous help.”

Jack was impressed by Lawrence’s ability to lead and coordinate volunteers effectively. The ghostly hayride was a significant attraction at the Haunted Harvest, and it was crucial to have someone like Lawrence overseeing its setup.

“That’s fantastic, Lawrence. You’ve got a real talent for this.”

“I know how to wrangle a crew,” Lawrence said modestly.

He should Lawrence wasn’t just a cowboy. He was also a volunteer firefighter.

“Everyone’s been putting in their best,” Lawrence added.

As they talked about the event’s success and the positive atmosphere it had created in Shooting Star Canyon, Jack couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his brothers and their friends. The Haunted Harvest had truly become a community endeavor, and Lawrence’s leadership played a crucial role in making it a memorable experience for all who attended.

“Keep doing what you’re doing, and text or call me if you need anything,” Jack said.

“I’ll keep that in mind, but don’t plan on my bothering you!”

Jack chuckled and continued his rounds to ensure everything was running smoothly at the Haunted Harvest. His next stop was to check in on Myles, who had taken on the responsibility of creating ghostly stories for the haunted corn maze. As he approached the area, he saw Myles engaging with a group of scare actors and volunteers.

“Myles, how are the ghost stories coming along for the corn maze? The one you told when I was onboard was great!”

Myles rubbed his hands together. “Jack! We’ve got some spine-tingling tales ready to send shivers down our guests’ spines. It’s going to be a real scream! I’ve been trying to come up with different ones because I noticed at least one family come back for a second ride, and I don’t want to have the same stories today and tomorrow and Sunday and on Halloween.” He tapped his temple. “I’m gonna keep them all straight! Don’t you worry!”

Jack laughed. “I don’t doubt you at all!”

Myles’s enthusiasm for crafting eerie stories was infectious, and Jack couldn’t help but appreciate the effort he and the scare actors were putting into creating a memorable experience in the haunted corn maze.

“All of this is fantastic to hear, Myles,” Jack added. “I’m sure our visitors will love it.”

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