Page 8 of A Cowboy's Halloween

As they drove Heather home, their conversation shifted from the incident to more lighthearted topics, providing her with a welcome distraction from the events of the evening. Heather couldn’t help but feel grateful for the support and care of her friends during this unexpected turn of events. Their presence made the situation more manageable, and she knew she could count on them as she embarked on her path to recovery.

Heather’s friends not only offered to drive her home, but they also wanted to help her with any immediate needs—getting groceries and arranging transportation to her follow-up appointment. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Heather felt grateful for the support of her friends and the prompt medical care she received.

As she continued her recovery, she knew that her creative makeup artistry would need to take a temporary back seat, but she was determined to heal properly and get back to doing what she loved as soon as possible.

CHAPTER3

With a day off from his usual responsibilities at Hidden Creek Orchard, Jack Griffin saw an opportunity to delve further into the planning and development of the haunted ranch project. While his brothers, Roy, Parker, and Ronald, were busy tending to their daily tasks at the orchard, Jack decided to take the initiative and work on the project’s details independently.

Jack was eager to present his concept for turning Hidden Creek Orchard into a haunted ranch for charity to his brothers. He began outlining the key points he wanted to discuss during their family meeting.

First, he created a concept proposal for the haunted ranch charity event, which required a name. He decided to go the simple route and opted for Haunted Harvest at Hidden Creech Orchid.

The objective was easy enough. He wanted to create a thrilling and immersive Halloween experience for the community while raising funds for a charitable cause.

The location was obvious—Hidden Creek Orchard in Shooting Star Canyon. He would have to narrow down the where on the ranch, of course, but first, he needed to determine what exactly they would offer.

Depending on how quickly they could get this up and running, the event could run on the weekends leading up to Halloween and conclude on Halloween night.

Now, for the fun part. What would make up the haunted ranch experience? The orchard would be transformed into a haunted wonderland featuring a haunted corn maze. The spooky maze could be filled with surprises and scare actors.

Definitely a pumpkin patch. Visitors can pick their own pumpkins and enjoy pumpkin-related activities. He already had those pumpkins his brother hadn’t carved, but they were growing plenty of pumpkins on the ranch already.

Ghostly hayrides! That would be fun. A haunted hayride through the orchard would require ghost stories and other surprises.

Hmm… what else? He had always liked scarecrows growing up. What about a… scarecrow alley? There could be a display of creatively themed scarecrows made by the community.

He and his brothers would have to select a local charity or non-profit organization that aligns with their values and community needs. Maybe a local food bank, shelter, or organizations supporting children and families in need.

To gain money for charity, the visitors would have to pay an entrance fee. Separate donations would be appreciated too. They could have a box near each activity so that if people had fun and thought it was worthwhile, they might chip in a little more.

All of this already sounded like a lot of work. They might need some volunteers from their community to help with scare acting, event logistics, and safety.

Marketing and promotion… that would be huge, especially if they wanted to try to get the ball rolling sooner rather than waiting until closer to Halloween. They should utilize social media, local advertising, and community outreach to promote the event.

Naturally, ensuring the safety of our visitors will be a top priority. They would have security personnel on-site and follow all safety regulations.

A family meeting would be needed to discuss the concept further, assign roles and responsibilities, and decide on the charity they wanted to support.

Jack was proud of the concept he had outlined and believed it could be a fantastic way for their family to combine their love for Halloween with their desire to give back to the community. He eagerly awaited the family meeting to gauge his brothers’ reactions and work together to turn this idea into a reality.

Not only was he proud, though. He was hungry. He knew from past experience that he always worked harder and smarter on a full stomach.

* * *

Entering The Old Ship restaurant at lunchtime, Jack took a moment to appreciate the peaceful ambiance. The Old Ship was known not only for its delicious food but also for its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal place for quiet contemplation and focused brainstorming.

Seated at a corner booth, Jack opened a notebook filled with his ideas, sketches, and potential concepts for the haunted ranch. He knew that the success of the project would depend on careful planning, creativity, and attention to detail.

As he perused the menu and considered his order, Jack’s mind raced with possibilities. He thought about the layout of Hidden Creek Orchard, the various attractions they could create, and the spooky elements that would make the haunted ranch an unforgettable experience for visitors. Jack also considered the logistics, budgeting, and safety measures required to execute the project successfully.

Jack knew that his brothers would be eager to hear about his progress and contribute their own ideas when they had the chance. Their combined creativity and passion for Halloween made this project a shared dream, and Jack was determined to bring it to life.

So, with his notebook and a meal before him, Jack set to work, immersing himself in the planning and development of the haunted ranch project. He was excited to see where his day of solitary brainstorming would lead and looked forward to sharing his vision with his brothers when they were available.

He delved deeper into planning the haunted ranch project and continued to jot down ideas, sketch out layouts, and consider the various elements that would make the Halloween attraction truly remarkable.

Jack’s meal arrived, and he enjoyed a brief moment to refuel and gather his thoughts. The tantalizing aroma of his food filled the air as he savored each bite. The bustling ambiance of the restaurant provided a backdrop for his creative brainstorming.

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