His To Hold

By Laura Lee

Introduction

In Willow Creek, nothing stays secret for long. Every whispered

word, every stolen glance, every rumor tucked into morning coffee

at the diner spreads like wind through the pines. For Claire

Bennett, that kind of closeness was suffocating once. It's what sent

her away—to the city, to a life she thought would be brighter, freer,

safer. She left behind her family, her roots, and the boy who had

been her first everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lauxon Publishing
• Release date: Oct 9, 2025
• ISBN: 9798232722210

Laura Lee

Laura Lee, a remarkable author, and spiritual guide, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and personal transformation through her widely acclaimed book, "Beyond the Stars." This biography delves into the extraordinary life and profound contributions of Laura Lee, whose words have resonated with countless readers, inspiring them to embark on transformative journeys of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and cosmic connection. Laura Lee's journey began in the vibrant city of Alexandria, where she was born into a loving family that encouraged curiosity and nurtured a deep connection with nature. As a child, she found solace and wonder in the natural world, igniting a sense of awe and awakening within her. From an early age, Laura Lee exhibited a thirst for knowledge and a yearning to uncover the mysteries of existence. She immersed herself in various spiritual traditions, seeking answers to life's fundamental questions. Her extensive studies, coupled with profound intuitive insight, fueled her desire to bridge the realms of the physical and the spiritual.

Book preview

Group His To Hold… His To Hold By Laura Lee Lauxon Publishing, LLC Line Line Line Line lp_logo_icon.png

© 2024 Laura Lee. All rights reserved.

Published by Lauxon Publishing, LLC

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed,

or transmitted in any form or by any means, including

photocopying, recording, or other electronic or

mechanical methods, without the prior written

permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief

quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain

other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

For permission requests, please contact:

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Website: www.Lauxonpublishing.com

Author’s Note

This book was born out of my deep love for second-chance romances—the stories where time, distance, and heartbreak test two people, but love refuses to let go. I’ve always believed there’s something uniquely powerful about a love that endures, not because it is easy, but because it survives storms, mistakes, and silence.

His To Hold is my love letter to the idea of home, to the messy beauty of forgiveness, and to the truth that sometimes the heart knows what it needs long before we’re brave enough to admit it. Claire and Ethan’s journey is filled with brokenness, but also with tenderness and resilience—the kind of love that grows stronger not in spite of trials, but because of them.

Thank you, dear reader, for holding this book in your hands. Whether you’re a longtime fan of romance or someone dipping in for the first time, I hope this story reminds you that love is worth the risk, worth the fight, and worth choosing—again and again.

Introduction

In Willow Creek, nothing stays secret for long. Every whispered word, every stolen glance, every rumor tucked into morning coffee at the diner spreads like wind through the pines. For Claire Bennett, that kind of closeness was suffocating once. It’s what sent her away—to the city, to a life she thought would be brighter, freer, safer. She left behind her family, her roots, and the boy who had been her first everything.

But coming back means facing it all—the gossip, the past, and most of all, Ethan Hayes. He isn’t just a memory. He’s still here, carrying his mother’s legacy, running the family store, living the life she once thought she had to escape. And when their paths collide, sparks fly—not the easy kind, but the dangerous ones. The kind that remind you that passion can heal, or it can burn everything to ash.

This is their story. Of leaving and returning. Of breaking and mending. Of two hearts that never stopped belonging to each other, even when fear, pride, and silence tried to keep them apart. It’s about the way love lingers, waiting for us to be brave enough to claim it.

Welcome to Willow Creek. Welcome to His To Hold.

Table of Contents:

Act I – The Return & Rekindling (Ch. 1–7)

The Return – Claire comes back to Willow Creek; first shocking encounter with Ethan at the hardware store.

Ghosts of Yesterday – Claire visits her father; strained family dynamics resurface.

Collisions – Claire and Ethan keep running into each other; small-town gossip sparks.

The Distance Between Us – Flashbacks to their teenage romance and painful breakup.

Dinner at Home – Tension at the Bennett family dinner table; Ethan shows up to help her father.

A Spark Rekindled – Ethan helps Claire with a repair project; the chemistry is undeniable.

The Promise Not to Fall – Claire vows not to let herself fall for him again.

Act II – Tension & Secrets (Ch. 8–18)

Whispers of the Past – Claire learns Ethan stayed behind to care for his ailing mother.

The Town Festival – Forced together at the Willow Creek festival; sparks fly.

Dancing in the Dark – A slow dance brings old feelings roaring back.

The Kiss That Shouldn’t Be – Their first kiss since the past—passionate, but Claire panics.

Lines in the Sand – Claire pushes him away; Ethan insists he won’t hurt her again.

The Secret Revealed – Claire discovers Ethan once wrote her letters she never received.

A Rival Returns – Claire’s old flame or city boyfriend visits, stirring jealousy.

Breaking Point – An argument erupts between Claire and Ethan; past betrayals surface.

Her Father’s Truth – Claire’s father reveals why he never stopped trusting Ethan.

Stormy Night – A literal storm forces them to take shelter together; raw honesty shared.

Falling Again – Claire finally admits she still loves him, but fears he’ll break her again.

Act III – The Breaking & Healing (Ch. 19–26)

Love Confessed – They give in to their feelings, starting a fragile relationship.

Happiness Interrupted – A family or business crisis threatens to tear them apart.

The Exposed Past – A hidden truth about why they broke up years ago is revealed.

The Betrayal – Claire feels blindsided, believing Ethan kept something from her.

Walking Away – Claire leaves him again, vowing not to repeat the past.

Ethan’s Lowest Point – Ethan reflects on his mistakes, seeks advice from her father.

The Grand Gesture – Ethan risks everything to prove his love—public, heartfelt.

The Choice – Claire must decide: repeat the heartbreak cycle or trust love again.

Act IV – Resolution & Forever (Ch. 27–30)

Coming Home – Claire realizes Willow Creek—and Ethan—are where she truly belongs.

His To Hold – She runs to him, choosing love despite fear.

The Future in Sight – They discuss their dreams—family, love, a life built together.

Forever – Epilogue: months or years later, we see them together, stronger than ever.

Prologue

The air in Willow Creek had always carried a quiet kind of magic—soft winds through the pines, sunlight spilling across fields, the hush of a town that never hurried. For Claire Bennett, it was the place she once swore she’d outgrow, the place she’d left behind with a heart full of dreams and a suitcase full of promises. But what she didn’t realize then was that some roots are not so easily cut, and some loves refuse to die, no matter how much time or distance lies between them.

On a summer evening, years after she first walked away, Claire would return to that small town. She would find herself face to face with Ethan Hayes—the boy she loved, the man she left, the anchor she didn’t know she still needed. What began as awkward collisions and half-healed wounds would grow into something far more dangerous: a rekindling of love she had vowed never to feel again.

But love, like Willow Creek itself, has a way of waiting. Of holding on. And sometimes, coming home isn’t about where you’ve been—it’s about finally choosing where you belong.

Chapter.1 Dingbat Leaf Dingbat Leaf

The Return

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The first breath Claire took in Willow Creek nearly knocked her to her knees. The air was heavy with pine and fresh bread, the same scent that used to drift through her bedroom window when she was sixteen and dreaming of freedom. She had promised herself she would never come back here, that she had cut the ties clean enough to never look back. Yet here she was, standing on Main Street with her suitcase trembling in her hand, trying to convince herself she wasn’t already unraveling. Every crack in the sidewalk, every peeling layer of paint on the storefronts, whispered memories she had buried so deep they still ached. She hated that this place had the power to make her feel like that awkward girl again, the one who had loved too much and lost even more. She wanted to tell herself she was stronger now, but strength was hard to find when the past was staring her down at every turn.

Her mother’s phone call had been short, but the weight of it had clung to Claire like a shadow. Your father needs you, Claire. He won’t ask, but he does. Those words had left her no choice, even though she wished she had one. She had spent years crafting a new life—late nights at work, a tiny apartment in the city, a rhythm that numbed her enough not to think of what she left behind. Coming back here felt like stepping into a wound that had never really healed, one she’d only covered with a flimsy bandage of distance and time. She thought she was prepared for it, thought she had armored herself in logic and practicality. But nothing could protect her from the