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

Father DeVaney conducted the final portion of the service, and Father Cullen gave the benediction. The two priests started down the front row, shaking the hands of the family members. When they got to Noah, he stood up, hugged each of them in turn, and softly said, “Thank you” in each man’s ear.


He sat down beside Bobby and observed with interest what happened next. People began to file past the front row of chairs, speaking words of condolence. Some of them spoke to their grandparents and their uncle and aunt then walked away. Others made a point of speaking to Noah and Bobby as well. As Noah and Bobby stood to go back to the limo, their cousin Joey came over and gave Noah a hug. He was shocked when Joey whispered in his ear, “Way to go, Noah.”


His paternal grandparents seemed to be unwilling to look either him or Bobby in the eye, but Uncle Joe came over to him and said, “I’ll say this, boy, you’ve got balls.”


Chapter 114