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

“I warn you brother, you had better not do anything to bring shame upon this family or to endanger your marriage to Rebecca or, so help me…”


“Ah, I see,” said Jonathan, “it is not my eternal welfare you have at heart, but whether or not the family will be embarrassed or the money that will come from my alliance with Rebecca will be put in jeopardy. How very Christian of you.”


Samuel bristled. “I will be watching you,” he snarled. He turned and stomped off the platform at the doorway with cloak billowing, and marched off down the road.


Jonathan leaned against the door to steady himself. He was both frightened and proud at the same time. Frightened because he and Nathaniel had come close to being found out and proud because he had stood up to his older brother: a feat he had never been able to accomplish before.


Taking a deep breath, he re-entered the school.


“All right, back to your writing,” he bellowed with authority, feeling very good about his newfound courage.


Chapter 29