Emily Hartwell

When Ethan Winters comes back to his hometown as the new fifth-grade teacher, he expects nothing more than familiar streets and half-forgotten memories. What he doesn’t expect is Claire Dawson his childhood best friend, the one he left behind ten years ago standing just down the hall from Room 12.

Claire has worked hard to build a steady life in the community she loves. Ethan’s return unsettles that balance, stirring memories she thought were safely tucked away. As they cross paths in chalk-dusted classrooms, quiet library corners, and the laughter of kids on the playground, old emotions rise along with the promises they once whispered under the old oak tree.

But trust takes time. When Ethan is offered the career break he’s always wanted, Claire must face the risk of being left again. And Ethan must decide if the future he imagined is worth more than the one he’s just rediscovered.

Can a promise made in childhood survive all the years in between?

***

Part of the sweet romance series “Forever by Your Side,” where every friendship blossoms into a timeless love story.

Forever by Your Side is a series where friendship quietly grows into something lasting. Each standalone story follows two people who’ve shared years together neighbors, classmates, childhood companions only to realize their bond runs deeper than they ever named. Set in close-knit towns filled with trust and belonging, the romances shine a light on everyday heroes: teachers, nurses, firefighters, soldiers. With tender moments, steady courage, and endings filled with hope, these wholesome tales remind us that love often begins with the person who’s been beside us all along.

Sometimes forever starts with a best friend.

Velvet Ink Press

Forever by Your Side

The Teacher’s Promise: A Vow of Love Written on the Chalkboard of the Heart

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