Delicate Dream: Book Two of The Verbecks of Idaho
“Sometimes the best recipes include a second chance at love.”
Bethany Heart had imagined many ways her new life in Seattle might begin—unpacking boxes in her apartment, touring the gleaming kitchen at Deveros, maybe even feeling her baby kick as she walked along the waterfront. She had not imagined it would start like this: eight months pregnant, alone in a dying car, with contractions tearing through her body in a hospital parking lot in the middle of nowhere, Idaho. The irony wasn’t lost on her. She was a chef who specialized in creating perfect moments for strangers, yet she couldn’t even orchestrate a safe arrival for her own daughter.
The worst part wasn’t the broken-down car or the dead phone or even the premature labor—it was the certainty settling in her chest like a stone. She had made a terrible mistake. Driving across the country alone while heavily pregnant, turning down Patrick’s offer to come with her, accepting a job that required her to start immediately—every decision had seemed so reasonable at the time, so necessary for building the life she and Olivia deserved. But reasonable decisions didn’t matter when you were bleeding in a parking lot with no one to help you. Reasonable decisions didn’t save you when everything went wrong at once.
What Readers Are Saying
★★★★★
Very good short romance story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a cowboy western romance. I could not put it down. Am looking forward to reading more stories from this author.” Kindle Customer Amazon
★★★★★
Thoroughly enjoyed watching these two characters deal with their encounter, their subsequent past dramas and the emerging new feelings, hopes and dreams of a potential sunny future. Excellent display of inner thoughts and feelings and questions about their reactions with each other. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This a sweet interaction between two hearts. Five Stars.
Dee Archer From Amazon.
Perfect For Fans Of:
Series with interconnected characters
Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series
Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series
Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series
Sherryl Woods’ Chesapeake Shores series
RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series
Small-town romance with family drama
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Author R.E.S. Tidmore
She writes bold romance featuring feral heroines, broken heroes, and love stories that hurt before they heal.
Note from the Author
I loved dreaming up Bethany and Cole’s love story. The initial spark came while I was immersed in the British Baking Show—it struck me how much fun it would be to write about a baker or a chef, someone who pours their heart into every creation. Once Bethany appeared in my imagination, she sprang to life on the page, her warmth and optimism shining through as she baked and smiled her way into Cole’s life. Her passion for food became a metaphor for the way she nurtures those around her, and it was such a joy to let her lead the story with her infectious energy.
Cole, as the eldest sibling, always carried the weight of responsibility. I wanted to give him a story where he could finally let go, open his heart, and discover the sweetness of letting someone else care for him. Watching Bethany break through his reserve and coax him into embracing the possibility of love was deeply satisfying. Their dynamic challenged both of them to grow—Bethany learned to stand firm for what she wanted, and Cole realized he didn’t have to bear every burden alone.
Writing their story was one of those rare experiences where everything just clicked. The words flowed effortlessly, and the characters felt so real that their struggles, triumphs, and even their misfortunes unfolded naturally. That sense of creative flow—when the stars align and you know you’re exactly where you need to be as a writer—is what makes this story so special to me. Bethany and Cole’s journey is a reminder that love can find us in the most unexpected places, and that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that surprise even their author. It will always be one of my favorites.
Copyright by R.E.S. Tidmore