Page 48 of A Cowboy's Halloween

She smiled. “That sounds wonderful. Halloween is your favorite holiday, after all.”

He nodded. “I can’t wait for them to see what we’ve all put together at the orchard. And speaking of which, we should get going. The Haunted Harvest won’t run itself!”

“If you want, but we still have some time.”

“You aren’t in a rush to get over there?”

“I… I’m enjoying myself.”

“Good!”

He looked so very pleased that she stifled a laugh.

But then, a hint of nervousness seemed to hang in the air. Jack, typically full of enthusiasm, seemed to be concerned about something.

“You know, Heather, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous about today,” he admitted before she had the chance to ask him what was wrong. “What if everyone in town already came last night, and today is a total flop?”

His candid confession revealed a vulnerable side to Jack, as he grappled with the uncertainty of the event’s success. After all, the turnout on the first night had been impressive, and he was clearly worried that they might not be able to replicate that energy, the complete antithesis of yesterday when he had been talking about expanding the event to be throughout the entire month.

“Jack, it’s completely normal to have some jitters,” she said, “but I have a feeling that today will be great too. We’ll put on a fantastic show, and people will keep coming back for more.”

Heather’s reassuring words were hopefully like a warm embrace, and she watched Jack carefully. From the slow nod and slight curl of his lips, it seemed like she had helped to alleviate some of the anxiety that had been building in Jack’s mind.

“Thanks, Heather. You always know how to put my mind at ease. Let’s make today unforgettable!”

“We will!”

Jack started to gather a few things, but after a moment, he turned to Heather, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Heather, I can’t help but think about Halloween night. It’s a special night for us, but with all the trick-or-treating and other events in town, I’m afraid our Haunted Harvest might not draw as big a crowd as we hope.”

She nodded. “I get it, Jack. Halloween night is a big deal, and there’s always a lot of competition for people’s time, but you know what? We’re putting on something unique and special at the orchard. I believe in it, and I believe in us.”

Heather’s unwavering faith and support seemed to reassure Jack once again. Her optimism and determination were like a beacon of hope in the face of uncertainty.

At least as far as the harvest went.

“Thanks, Heather. Your confidence means a lot to me. Let’s make Halloween night at the orchard an unforgettable experience, even if it means competing with trick-or-treating.”

“We could always cut off Halloween so that it ends shortly before trick or treating so that way there isn’t any competition,” she suggested.

“That might be a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll talk to Colton and see what he wants to do. It’s going to take some time to tear everything down and get the orchid back to rights once all of this is done and over with.”

“True,” she murmured.

As the minutes ticked away, and their departure time for the orchard drew nearer, Heather felt a growing urgency to share something deeply personal with Jack. She knew that opening up about her past was a significant step, one that required courage and trust. Maybe now wasn’t the best time, but she felt compelled to say something now, and she didn’t want to lose her nerve.

“Jack, there’s something I want to talk to you about before we head to the orchard,” she said nervously. “It’s about my past, and I think it’s important for you to know. Her voice trembled slightly, but she locked eyes with Jack, her determination to be honest and transparent shining through.

“Of course, Heather. You can tell me anything. I’m here for you.”

Jack’s reassuring words provided Heather with the encouragement she needed. With a deep breath, she began to share her story, unveiling the painful chapter of her life that she had kept hidden for so long.

As Heather shared the painful details of her past, her voice trembled with the weight of the memories she was bringing to the surface. She spoke about the abusive relationship she had endured, how it had ensnared her in a web of fear and control, and how it had ultimately isolated her from her friends and loved ones. Her words were a testament to the emotional scars that still haunted her, scars that ran deeper than anyone could see. It was a difficult and emotional conversation, but she trusted Jack enough to confide in him.

“I’ve been through a lot, Jack,” she added, “and it’s left me with scars, not just on the outside but on the inside too. I wanted you to know because you’ve become such an important part of my life. That’s… That’s one of the reasons why our date was so awkward. I… I haven’t been on a date since…”

Jack listened attentively, his empathy and understanding evident in his eyes. “Thank you for sharing this with me. You’re incredibly brave, and I’m honored that you trust me enough to let me in. You’re not alone in this journey, and I’m here to support you, no matter what.”

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