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 don’t think so. I will take her dinner after we have eaten.”


Rebecca then returned to the kitchen to complete meal preparations. The men sat back down and continued their conversation. In a few moments, she returned to announce the meal was ready.


The food was well prepared and it was obvious to Nathaniel that Rebecca took pride and joy in her first Sabbath breaking. When they had finished and she had cleared away the dishes, she prepared a basket of food to be taken to her sister. She and her father donned their cloaks and went to the door. Upon opening it, they were hit with a blast of frigid air that blew out the candles and almost smothered the fire in the hearth.


“We had better help you,” Jonathan offered, disappointed that an opportunity to be alone with Nathaniel had to be let go. He and Nathaniel also dressed for the short walk to the Gilmore residence.


Chapter 38