Jonathon Carver, a young Puritan school teacher, meets handsome Nathaniel Morgan, master cooper. He comes to recognize the longings he's had all his life as desire for the love of another man, and Nathaniel provides that love.<br><br>Their love must be carefully guarded, as they live in Colonial America during a time of the call to Awakening of the Puritan spirit. Knowing the penalty for their love is dire, they strive to keep their affair secret.<br><br>Desperate for a way to resolve their situation, they devise a bold plan which could free them to be together. But can their love for one another overcome the structure of the society in which they live? Or will they be destined to forego fulfillment of their desire and go their separate ways?

Awakening

“And the same to you, sir,” Nathaniel called after him.


He returned to the day’s work, relieved that here he was not in danger of being judged: at least not as long as the full truth remain untold.


Sometime later that morning, as he was tightening the hoops around a stout water barrel, he had the feeling someone was watching him. Turning, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his forearm, he saw Samuel, Jonathan’s elder brother, leaning against the wall, staring at him.


“Can I help you?” Nathaniel queried, wondering both what Samuel wanted, and how long he had been silently watching him.


Samuel smiled, but the gesture carried no warmth.


“Yes, you are Samuel Carver,” Nathaniel said politely.


“And?” Nathaniel could not figure the meaning of that remark. “And you are Mathew Carver’s eldest son. Your father being one of Mr. Worthing’s finest customers.”


Chapter 12