Fern's Date with Destiny

by Vivian Arend

They can’t outrun destiny.

A stand-alone story by New York Times bestselling Author Vivian Arend.

When Fern Fields heads out on a trail ride with Cody Gabrielle—the quiet ranch foreman at Red Boot ranch—she has no idea how well they’ll click. Cody’s steady charm and quick wit are enticing, and Fern wonders if destiny might have a slightly dusty cowboy in mind for her sometime down the road.

By the time their friendship bursts into a full-blown relationship, everyone’s so used to seeing them together they’re practically hiding in plain sight. The secret is part of the fun—a little mystery tucked into their everyday routine. But just as Cody begins to picture a future with the woman who makes everything brighter, life throws him a curve he never expected.

Suddenly, it’s not just about falling in love—it’s about whether love is strong enough to weather the unknown and still stand steady on the other side.

Genres: Steamy

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2025

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend loves to share the products of her over-active imagination with her readers. She writes contemporary, western, and light-hearted paranormal romances. The stories are humorous yet emotional, usually with a large cast of family or friends, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Vivian lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband of many years—her inspiration for every hero and a willing companion for all sorts of adventures.

Reviews

[Darcy]

Fern and Cody were so cute together. I liked that both realized the timing wasn't good at first, but when it was they went for it. I also really liked that they wanted to keep things a secret between them, to just enjoy the time with each other, because they knew their vast family and friends would butt in otherwise. Even the bet to see how long it would take people to realize was funny, especially with how that part played out. It did suck what Cody found out, more so when he played the stupid boy thing of running. Glad he got his head together and realized things would be better with Fern. The ending was unusual, not sure how I feel about it. I like it, yet I'm also a bit mad on Rose and Connor's behalf.

[Dar]

The last of the Field’s sisters gets her HEA, and it was an emotional (secret) journey to get there! These two had all the fun and lightness of sneaking around, and then life interfered into their easy joy. Mistakes were made, feelings were hurt, but they faced the truths in front of them, and made decisions that worked for their peace. Maybe because of the sneaking, but once they decided to be together, they went all in at lightening speed, and that was perfect for them as well <3

[Nancy Cerezo]

Great book for the collection!

Love the storyline for Fern and Cody! Definitely includes a twist in regards to life and the surprises it has for them. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend that you do… great setting, excellent characters and storylines all around!!!!!

[Michelle Graves]

It was pretty good but it was also a little sad 2. Fern will never give up on anything especially him when he's being scared and stubborn. It was surprised about what was going on with him unexpectedly. I was hoping it would say a little about when she was younger but it didn't.

[Linda Ketter]

Ferns Date with Destiny is book 4 in the Heart Falls Vignette and Novella Collection. It is a novella and follows Fields sister, Fern, as she falls for rancher and jack of all trades, Cody.

Fern, and her three sisters, were adopted by the Fields. Fern was a baby when she was adopted. Fern is special. She is missing part of her arm and wears a prosthetic to gain full mobility. All of the girls have flower names. She works with her sister Rose at Buns and Roses, their bakery and flower shop in Heart Falls. She has watched all three of her sisters fall in love. Fern is the last single sister and really wants to find her happily ever after.

Cody works for Red Boot Ranch working the ranch and the activities for their guests. When his mother married an Irishman years ago, he gained a brother, Chance. Chance is now engaged to Rose and a successful painter. Cody sees how happy Chance is and longs for someone to love him like Rose loves Chance.

Cody and Fern have had an attraction for awhile. But neither wanted to ruin their friendship or the budding love of their siblings. So they remained friends. Until ...

While trying to retain their friends only relationship, things shift between them. All of a sudden they are looking at each other in a new light. Well, not new, but enhanced. They start doing activities together, but pass it off as one helping the other. They want to keep the fact they are seeing each other that way a secret.

But in a small town there are no secrets.

Except one.

When strange things start happening to Cody, he refuses to talk to anyone about it. Including his brother and Fern. But Fern is not having that. She finally gets him to open up about what is going on. And she stands beside him. She is the first person he calls when trouble hits.

For a couple trying to keep their rendezvous' a secret, they definitely lack finesse. It is pretty funny to see their reactions when his brother and her sisters admit they know all about them. And they may have been helping to set them up together.

Watching these two go on adventures was fun. Living where they do, they have so many options for activities to choose from.

Knowing what is in Cody's future, I am curious to see him, and Fern, in future books. I want to see how they handle the challenges yet to come for them. I am hoping that things progress slowly, but one never knows what life has in store for them.

This is yet another book narrated by Tatiana Sokolov. She has brought life to Rocky Mountain and Heart Falls. She brings the joy and love along with the heartbreak and challenges. Here is to more characters voiced by her.

[QuinnReads]

Believe Together

This is such a bittersweet novella. I want to hate it for the bitter part, but I just can't. Cody Gabrielle and Fern Fields are wonderful. Even when life's curveballs send them running for the hills, the way they quietly fight for what they have and want makes me love them all the more.

Because maybe destiny really did know best. Which meant maybe he should be fool enough to trust her.
-- Cody Gabrielle

Things between them grow organically over the course of a couple of years. I love that we get to see them through the stages of their transformation. It turns out that Fern can keep a relationship secret better than her grandmother, Sonora, was able to. LOL!

The ending is absolutely perfect for them. Rose and Chance accept the incursion better than most would, including me. Either way, this is another wonderful addition to the series!

Prior reading may not be required, but having Heart Falls knowledge is something I recommend.

I listened to the audio book. Tatiana Sokolov narrates this with the love and quality I've come to expect from her. 🎧💙🎧

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = ; h = 22-24

[Teresa Christianson]

Great story. Love Fern and Cody

When Fern meets Cody, she says it's not their time yet and they start a great friendship. Fern is waiting for destiny to be the right time. While waiting for destiny, they are in for a rough ride in their relationship. While Cody is going through a lot of medical tests, she always lets him know she is there if he needs her. With his diagnosis of Parkinson's, he thinks she deserves more than he can offer in the future, but she proves to him that she is there for him no matter what the future holds. Will he believe in their love and take a chance?

[Patti]

A spectacular love story that will mesmerize you and you will fall in love with this couple!! Two damaged soul searching for love and their destiny, find each other but have many hurdles before they can admit their love to each other!! Fall in love with this family and this couple!! True love wins out and you can't help but root for their happiness! Grab this book and enjoy!!

[Just Read and Imagine]

Watching Cody and Fern come to love one another was a sight to behold. Fern is much deeper than just a friend though, she is your person. Beautifully written. Loved the audiobook narrated by Tatiana Sokolov.

[Lissa J]

sweet romance novella for fans of the series, runs concurrently with other books in the various Heart Falls series, sweet but emotional tugging at the heartstrings

[Laura]

Awesome book. I loved it.

[Jamoz23]

AUDIBLE
I had to gear myself to listen to this story due to the disease aspect.
Very enjoyable overall listening to this, though the subject matter of Cody’s problems was hard to listen too. My husband has the same disease.
I still think the timeline was weird and I don’t understand how they managed having a non-relationship for so long.
BOOK REVIEW
I loved this so much.
Another wonderful, loving and family-oriented love story by this author.
Fern is a well-known character. She has always been a strong, if slightly unsure of her direction in life person. She knows what she wants from life, even if that right something is right at that precise moment.
Cody is a quiet character, he does his job and expects little. He is a bit of a runner, rather than a stand his ground guy.
These two together are wonderful and how they support each other through first friendship, then new love is heartwarming.
I did struggle emotionally reading this story when things started happening with Cody, as I strongly suspected what was coming. (My husband has Parkinson’s Disease).
I loved how Fern stood strong and supportive as Cody needed it, but allowed him to react in his own time and in his own way.
I did have to look up the game they played Crokinole. Looks entertaining fun.