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

Watching the man walk out of the building, Robert then sprinted for the side door.


“Now, where is he off to?” Thomas asked as he saw the boy exit in a rush.


“Maybe he is the one who has found someone with whom to pass a pleasant evening,” Aaron offered with a laugh and a shrug. “He could have helped us with this mess he has created.”


“Would you tarry if you had a willing lass waiting for you?” Thomas joined him in the laughter.


Nathaniel stood leaning against the large oak across from the school. He was waiting for the class to be dismissed so he could slip into the building. As he waited, idly scuffing the dirt with the toe of his boot, he breathed deeply of the fresh cold winter air. It had been several weeks since he and Jonathan had been together. He was impatient and anxious at the same time. The anxiety stemmed from fear of being caught in a compromising situation, the impatience from desire to hold his love once more. He watched the door for signs of dismissal.


Chapter 41