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

“Jonathan. You have not brought your clothing, your books?”


A sad smile played on Jonathan’s lips. “She is with child.”


Nathaniel moved backward a step or two, then let out a shuddering gasp. He tried to recover from the shock of those four words—to respond in some fashion. For a long moment the two men looked at each other, letting their hopes and plans drain from them, to be replaced by the new reality of their situation.


Nathaniel spoke softly and with finality. “I love you. Now and forever.”


There was nothing more either could say. Nathaniel could not stay without jeopardizing Jonathan. Jonathan’s sense of honor would not allow him to leave Rebecca, now she was carrying his child. This was the end of it for them. Fate had stepped in and decreed that their lives together were not to be. There were no more tears, no plans or schemes, no more farewells. They embraced each other one last time and each turned to the path that lay before him.


Chapter 44