Tom Foster has his life planned out, and he's systematically pursuing his goals. At twenty-two, he's been organist and choirmaster at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for three years, he's working on his doctoral thesis, and he's beginning a secondary career performing in concert. There is no room in his schedule for romance ... until Noah Webster, a gorgeous green-eyed blond, walks into the church one evening to audition for the choir.<br><br>What starts as an arrangement of convenience -- Tom's usual page turner is unavailable, and Noah agrees to do the job-soon turns into a fast friendship. Then Noah, who is saddled with an obnoxious roommate, rents the spare bedroom in Tom's house, and ultimately the two men become lovers and partners in life.<br><br>But before they can ride off into the sunset together, they must face one major obstacle: Noah's violent, homophobic Southern Baptist father.

Love Turns the Page

The pace of Noah’s voice sessions had increased, and by the end of October, they were having a vocal workout at least four times a week. Tom was beginning to feel a little bit out of his depth and wished that he’d taken a few more courses in voice coaching when he’d had the chance—the pupil was on the verge of surpassing the teacher’s ability to teach. At their Thursday rehearsal that week, he handed the choir members music for a number that included a significant amount of solo work for a bass/baritone.


“Who’s going to sing the solo?” Sylvia said, looking at the score.


“Tom, honey, don’t you think you’re working that poor boy to death? You’re liable to scare him off with all the solo work you’ve been throwing at him.”


“I’ll take that risk. Besides, there’s a very good reason for throwing all this work at him. Can anybody tell me what it is?”


Chapter 30