Page 42 of A Cowboy's Halloween

Myles beamed proudly. “Thanks, Jack. We’re all in this to make the Haunted Harvest the best it can be.”

As they discussed the success of the event and the anticipation it had generated, Jack felt a deep sense of gratitude for Myles and his creative contributions. The haunted corn maze was a central attraction, and Myles’s dedication was helping make it a spine-tingling adventure for all who dared to enter.

By the time Jack made his way back to Heather, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of exhaustion and fulfillment. The first night of the Haunted Harvest had come to an end, and it had been a resounding success. He was eager to see how the event would continue to grow in the coming days.

Jack approached Heather. “Hey, Heather, it was an incredible night, wasn’t it?”

She smiled. “Absolutely, Jack. I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

Jack noticed that Heather was leaving most of the setup in place.

“Need a hand with cleaning up?” he asked, wanting to be helpful and also try to ensure she didn’t overdo it. “I’m here to assist if you do.”

“Thanks, Jack, but most of this will stay here tonight. We start early tomorrow for day two, and it’s easier to leave everything set up.”

The Haunted Harvest had a demanding schedule, with back-to-back days of spooky fun, and Heather was well aware of the logistics needed to make it run smoothly. Jack respected her dedication and decision to prepare for the next day’s festivities.

“Got it, Heather.” He nodded. “Well, if you need any help tomorrow or during the weekend, you know where to find me.”

“Thanks, Jack. I appreciate that. See you bright and early for round two!”

With their shared commitment to the Haunted Harvest, Jack and Heather parted ways for the night, looking forward to what the upcoming days would bring as they continued to work together to make the event a tremendous success.

As the night came to a close at the Haunted Harvest, Jack took a moment to say goodbye to the people who had been part of this thrilling event. He had forged connections, strengthened friendships, and witnessed the joy it brought to their community. With a warm smile on his face, he bid farewell to everyone who had made the first night of the event so memorable.

“Thank you all for being part of our Haunted Harvest tonight! It was an incredible start to our Halloween festivities. Have a safe trip home, and we’ll see you bright and early for another hauntingly good time tomorrow!”

As the visitors and volunteers dispersed, Jack couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The Haunted Harvest had not only been a success in terms of raising funds for charity but had also brought the community closer together, and Jack was excited to see what the next night would bring. With a final wave and a thankful heart, he made his way to his apartment to get some much-needed rest before the next busy day.

As Jack made his way to his car in the parking lot, a woman approached him with an inquisitive look in her eyes. She seemed to be looking for someone.

“If you’re here for the Haunted Harvest, I’m afraid you’ll have to come back tomorrow,” he said regretfully.

“Oh, no. I… Well… I’m looking for Heather. Heather Carter.”

“I’m not sure if she’s still here or not.” He shook his head. “She’s so incredibly talented. Have you seen her work up close? And she’s so sweet and kind and…”

“Is that right?” She crossed her arms.

“Yes.” Jack wasn’t even embarrassed. He stood by everything he said.

“I’m Jessica Turner,” the woman said.

“Nice to meet you, Jessica,” he said. He couldn’t help but be curious about her sudden appearance.

“So you and Heather… You’re friends.”

“Yes, we are,” Jack said slowly, wondering if that was still true or not. The first date had been awkward, but maybe that had been partially because of nerves about tonight. Now that they had the first night under their belt, things should be smoother between them.

But that didn’t spell the end of their troubles, considering Heather’s job and the location of said job…

“Do you want me to see if she’s still at her station?”

“I’ve been looking around, and I don’t see her car,” Jessica said. “Maybe she left already and I missed her.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

Jessica smiled. “Heather and I used to be close friends a while back, and I was hoping to reconnect with her. It’s been a long time.”

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