Speaker 1: Calarogu Shark Media, Hello and welcome to Romance Weekly. This
episode is titled Haunted Heart's Part three, Halloween Heartache.
Speaker 2: The crisp October air nipped at Emma's cheeks as she
hung the last of the cobwebs on her front porch.
Halloween was just days away, and Mystic Falls had transformed
into a veritable wonderland of spooky delights. Jack's influenced, no doubt.
The thought of him brought a smile to her face,
quickly followed by a flutter of nerves in her stomach.
Since the ghostly Gala, things between them had been different.
That almost kiss, interrupted by the mysterious apparition, hung between
them like an unspoken question. They'd barely had a moment
alone since, between work, kids, and last minute Halloween preparations.
Mom Mom Zoe's excited voice broke through her reverie. Can
we go to the Haunted Harvest Festival tonight please? Emma
turned to see her daughter, practically vibrating with excitement, already
decked out in her witch costume. The What now the
Haunted Harvest Festival. It's at mister Cooper's haunted house. There's
going to be a corn maze and bobbing for apples
and a haunted hayride. Zoe's eyes sparkled with anticipation. I
don't know, sweetie, it's a school night and please, ma'am.
Max says his dad made a special not so scary
section for kids, and well, Zoe's voice dropped to a
conspiratorial whisper. I think mister Cooper was hoping you'd come.
Emma felt her cheeks warm. Oh and how do you
know that? Zoe rolled her eyes in that way only
preteens can perfect because Max told me his dad keeps
talking about you.
Speaker 1: Duah.
Speaker 2: Before Ema could formulate a response, her phone buzzt a
text from Jack. Hey, Emma, hoping to see you and
Zoe at the Harvest Festival tonight. I've got a special
surprise planned if you're up for a little Halloween magic.
Emma's heart did a little flip. She looked at Zoe's
hopeful face and made a decision. All right, little witch,
let's go see what kind of trouble we can get
into at this festival. The excitement on Zoe's face was
worth any potential trouble they might encounter. As they pulled
into the parking lot of Cooper's creepy castle. Emma's jaw dropped.
Jack had transformed the area around his haunted house into
a Halloween lover's dream. Twinkling lights were strung between towering
corn stalks, creating a magical pathway to various attractions. The
smell of caramel apples and pumpkin spice wafted through the air,
mixing with the earthy scent of hay and leaves. Wow,
Zoey breathed, her eyes wide. This is so cool, Emma
had to agree. As they made their way towards the entrance,
she found herself getting caught up in the festive atmosphere.
Maybe Halloween wasn't so bad after all, Emma, zoe you
made it. Jack's voice called out. He jogged towards them,
looking unfairly handsome in a flannel shirt and jeans, a
Jack O lantern baseball cap perched on his head. We
wouldn't miss it, Emma said, hoping her voice sounded steadier
than she felt. This place looks amazing, Jack. He beamed
at her, and Emma felt that now familiar warmth spread
through her chest. Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I
was hoping I could give you the grand tour. He
trailed off, looking suddenly unsure. That sounds great. Emma said quickly, Zoe,
why don't you go find Max. I'm sure he's around here, somewhere.
Zoe didn't need to be told twice. With a knowing
grin at her mother, she dashed off into the crowd.
Shall we, Jack asked, offering his arm with an exaggerated bow.
Emma laughed, linking her arm through his. Lead the way,
mister Halloween. As they strolled through the festival, Emma found
herself relaxing into Jack's presence. He showed her the corn Maize,
complete with hidden speakers playing spooky sound effects, the pumpkin catapult,
which launched gorge at zombie targets, and the Witch's brew
stand serving non alcoholic potions that changed color and bubbled.
This is all so incredible, Jack, Emma said, as they
paused by a crackling bonfire. The kids must love it. Thanks,
Jack said, a hint of pride in his voice. It's
been a lot of work, but seeing everyone enjoy it
makes it all worth it, especially, he trailed off, his
eyes meeting hers. Emma felt her breath catch this was
it the moment they'd been dancing around since the gala?
She leaned in slightly, her heart pounding, Jack, Jack Cooper,
is that you? They sprang apart at the sound of
a woman's voice. Emma turned to see a striking blond
woman approaching her designer boots clicking on the gravel path.
Jack's face had gone pale. Melissa, sir, what are you
doing here? The woman? Melissa smiled, though it didn't quite
reach her eyes. I was in town and heard about
this charming little festival. I had no idea it was yours.
You've certainly come a long way from our college days.
Emma felt a cold knot form in her stomach. This
woman clearly knew Jack from his past, and there seemed
to be some unresolved history there. She glanced at Jack,
seeing the tension in his jaw. Melissa, this is Emma,
Jack said, his voice strained. Emma, this is Melissa, an
old friend from college. Melissa's eyes flicked to Emma, assessing
charmed I'm sure, Jack, do you think we could talk
privately for a moment. There are some things we need
to discuss. Before Jack could respond, another voice cut through
the awkward tableau. Emma, babe, is that you? Emma froze,
She knew that voice. Turning slowly, she came face to
face with a ghost from her own past.
Speaker 1: Dylan.
Speaker 2: She gasped. Her ex husband stood before her, looking exactly
as he had the day he'd walked out on her
and Zoe three years ago. His leather jacket and carefully
touzled hair screamed wannabe rock star. But there was something
different in his eyes, something almost desperate. What are you
doing here, Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dylan ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so
familiar it made Emma's heart ache. I I came to
see you and Zoe. I've been doing a lot of
thinking and well I miss you guys. Emma felt like
the ground was shifting beneath her feet. She looked from
Dylan to Jack, seeing the confusion and hurt in Jack's eyes.
Melissa stood to the side, a slight smirk playing on
her lips. I need some air, Emma mumbled, turning and
fleeing into the darkness of the corn maze. Her mind
raced as she wandered through the twisting paths. How Could
this be happening? Just when things with Jack were finally
moving forward, the past had come crashing back into both
their lives. She thought of Zoe, of how excited she'd
been about Jack and Max. How could she tell her
daughter that her father was back? Lost in thought, Emma
didn't notice the figure approaching until she collided with a
solid chest. Whoa easy there, Jack's voice rumbled, His hands
steadied her, and Emma looked up to meet his concerned gaze.
Are you okay? Emma let out a shaky laugh. I
don't know, are you, Jack sighed, running a hand over
his face. Not really. I'm sorry about Melissa. I had
no idea she was in town. I'm sorry about Dylan,
Emma said softly. I haven't seen or heard from him
in years. They stood in silence for a moment, the
sounds of the festival muffled by the towering corn. What
do we do now, Emma asked, hating how small her
voice sounded. Jack was quiet for a long moment. When
he spoke, his voice was gentle but firm. We remember
why we're here, this festival, Halloween. It's about facing our fears, right,
Maybe it's time we face these ghosts from our past.
Emma nodded slowly. You're right, we can't run from this.
Jack reached out, taking her hand in his. The warmth
of his touch grounded her. Whatever happens, Emma, I want
you to know that these past few weeks have meant
a lot to me. You and Zoe. You've brought some
back into my life that I thought i'd lost after
Sarah died. Emma felt tears prick at her eyes. Jack
I A scream cut through the night, followed by the
sound of running feet. Zoe burst through the corn her
face pale. Ma'm mister Cooper, come quick. It's Max. He's
stuck in the Haunted House and the animatronics have gone
crazy without hesitation, Jack and Emma sprinted after Zoe, their
personal dramas momentarily forgotten in the face of a new crisis.
As they emerged from the Maize, Emma caught sight of
Dylan and Melissa, both looking lost and out of place
amidst the Halloween chaos. For a moment, Emma felt a
pang of what might have been. But as she ran
towards the Haunted House, Jack's hands still clasped in hers,
she realized something important. The past might have come knocking,
but the future, uncertain and thrilling as it was, lay ahead,
and in Mystic Falls on the eve of Halloween, anything
was possible.
Speaker 1: Romance Weekly is a production of Calaroga Shark Media executive
producers Mark Francis and John McDermott. Portions of this podcast
may have been created with the assistance of AI
Speaker 2: Calaroga Shark Media