Page 47 of A Cowboy's Halloween

After finishing their breakfast, Jack and Heather found themselves with some extra time before they needed to head to the orchard for the day’s Haunted Harvest event. Jack, always one for a bit of fun, decided to show Heather his collection of old costumes.

He grinned. “Want to see some of my Halloween costume classics?”

Her eyes widened. “Absolutely! I’m sure you’ve had some interesting choices over the years.”

Jack led Heather to a closet filled with an assortment of costumes from Halloweens past. As they sifted through the eclectic collection, they couldn’t help but tease each other about which costume Jack should don for the Haunted Harvest that day.

She chuckled. “How about the pirate costume? You could be a haunted pirate searching for buried treasure.”

“Arrr, matey!” he burst out playfully. “That’s not a bad idea, but what about the mad scientist? I could concoct all sorts of eerie experiments at the orchard.”

Their banter continued as they pulled out costumes ranging from superheroes to classic monsters. Each outfit brought its own set of playful suggestions and laughter.

“What about... a giant banana?” she asked, her tone mock-serious. “You could be the most fearsome fruit in Shooting Star Canyon!”

He burst out laughing. “A banana? Well, that would certainly be a-peeling!”

She grinned. “All right, Jack, what do you think? Pirate or mad scientist?”

Jack considered the options as he stroked his chin. “How about both? I’ll be a mad scientist who’s also a haunted pirate. It’s a Halloween mashup!

They both laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but it was decided. Jack would be a mad scientist pirate for the Haunted Harvest, a unique and unforgettable choice that perfectly captured the spirit of the event.

Their playful interaction served as a reminder that sometimes, the best way to deal with uncertainty was to embrace the present and create moments of joy and connection with the people who mattered most.

CHAPTER22

As Jack headed to his bedroom to transform into his chosen costume, Heather patiently waited in the living room. She knew that their time together that morning was running short, but she couldn’t help but think of the possibility of Jack joining her at the orchard for the day’s Haunted Harvest preparations.

Heather pondered the idea, recognizing that having Jack by her side during the event could be both enjoyable and beneficial. She valued his company, and involving him in her work seemed like a perfect way to get to know each other better.

Although that might make things more complicated for her…

Jack reemerged from his bedroom, now transformed into the mad scientist pirate, complete with a tattered lab coat, pirate hat, and a vial of mysterious “elixir” in hand.

He grinned. “Ready for some Halloween hijinks, Heather?”

She smiled. “You look fantastic, Jack. And actually, I was thinking... would you like to come with me to the orchard when I need to go over? I know you probably don’t need to be there that early, but you could see what it’s like behind the scenes and maybe lend a hand.”

Jack’s eyes lit up at the invitation. “Sure, that sounds great. Lead the way, Captain Heather!”

Heather and Jack exchanged smiles. They were eager to face the day’s adventures as a team.

“Not that we have to leave right this second,” she said, looking at her watch. “There’s still twenty minutes yet.”

“Good.” Jack grinned at her. “By the way, Heather, I met your parents last night at the Haunted Harvest. They’re really nice people. They seemed pretty excited about the event, and they had some great things to say about you.”

Heather couldn’t help but smile. It was heartwarming to know that her family had such positive impressions of her new friend.

“I’m glad they got to meet you, Jack. They’ve been a big support in my life.”

Their conversation flowed naturally, and even in these simple moments, Heather and Jack continued to strengthen the bond they had formed. As they prepared to leave for the orchard, the prospect of spending the day together filled them with anticipation and excitement, eager to see what adventures awaited them at the Haunted Harvest.

“Did your parents come to the event last night, Jack?” she asked, curious.

He shook his head. “No, not last night, but they’re planning to come on Halloween night.”

Jack’s eyes sparkled with fond memories as he spoke about his family’s Halloween traditions. It was clear that this holiday held a special place in his heart, and he was looking forward to sharing it with his parents.

---