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 people at lunch seemed to be genuinely friendly,” Mr. Walker said, “and they certainly are fond of you and Tom.”


“Yeah,” Noah said, “I think they really are.”


Tom poured each of them a glass of wine. Then he handed Bobby a glass of Coke, saying, “The designated driver doesn’t need to have any alcohol, even if he was old enough to drink it.”


Noah was really pleased that Tom and Bobby seemed to get along so well. As far as he could tell, Bobby genuinely liked Tom, and he knew for certain that Tom liked Bobby, because he’d told him so more than once.


“Bobby,” Tom said, “when does your Christmas break begin?”


“On the Friday that’s about nine days before Christmas,” Bobby said, “whatever date that falls on.”


“I guess you’re going home for Christmas,” Tom said.


“Yeah,” Bobby said, sighing. “I’m not really looking forward to it, but there’s no way I can stay in Gainesville for Christmas—Mom would be totally disappointed.”


Chapter 49