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

“No, you,” replied Jonathan, raising himself to a half sitting position and looking into his lover’s eyes.


Nathaniel pulled him back down and sighed. “All right.”


“I want you to understand what I meant when I said ‘until the wedding’.”


Nathaniel continued. “The peril we face in our situation is great. Yet, if we were to be caught now, we might escape our punishment if we repented and vowed to seek God’s grace for the fortitude to withstand temptation.”


Again Jonathan nodded his head into the man’s chest.


He continued. “Once you are married, the danger to our lives is increased. With your betrothal it has already increased. Yet, we are still fornicators. But, if we were to be caught after your marriage, there would be no mercy. We would surely be put to death as adulterers. I couldn’t bear having brought that upon you.”


Chapter 25