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

“Now, don’t let me interrupt your stroll. I am sure you two have lots to talk over. If it is not too forward of me, would you allow me to join you, Miss Mary, in your duty to make certain these two young folk behave themselves?” He laughed his beautiful masculine laugh and both Jonathan and Mary sighed: neither sigh was perceptible.


Amazed at what was transpiring, Jonathan could scarcely believe it when he heard Mary say coquettishly, “Why, we would be delighted to have you join us, Mr. Morgan.”


The two couples fell in line: Jonathan and Rebecca taking the lead, followed at a respectable distance by Nathaniel and Mary.


“He is so nice,” Rebecca said. “Is he a good friend, have you known him long?”


Jonathan hoped his voice did not betray him as he responded.


“Yes, he is a wonderful man. I would say he is a very good friend.”


Chapter 17