Day 4 – Hiding an Illness

It was rare for Shauna to be up and ready for the day before Troy. There was always something to do around the ranch, always something that required both of them to be up fairly early. Before heading downstairs to start coffee, Shauna took one look at her still-sleeping husband, and something told her that it was probably best that she let him sleep. He seemed very lethargic the day before, but Shauna dismissed it as Troy pushing himself a little too much.

It was quiet aside from the rooster outside. Shauna was quick to get the coffee started before heading out to deal with the chickens. When she returned, she found Troy had finally gotten up, and was seated at the table with his coffee. "Good morning," Shauna said.

"'Morning, sweetheart," Troy replied. There was no energy in his voice, and he looked like lead weights were on his head and shoulders.

"You feeling alright?" Shauna asked. She stepped closer to squeeze his shoulders, and felt heat radiating off him. "You don't look good, Sam."

"I'm alright," Troy said. "Got work to do."

"Sam, you're—" Shauna felt his forehead, "you've got quite the fever. You should go back upstairs."

"No, I'm fine. I'll feel better after breakfast."

Shauna didn't believe him in the slightest. She still made breakfast, and kept an eye on Troy. She couldn't make it obvious, though, as Troy's experiences in a POW camp under a sadistic German colonel rendered him severely uncomfortable with being watched while he was eating. She didn't like how quiet Troy was, nor did she like him getting up while only halfway through his breakfast. "Do you not like it?" Shauna asked.

"It's good. Just… you gave me a little too much. Sorry." Troy went to the door, putting his hat on first before his jacket.

"It's supposed to be on the warm side today," Shauna said. "You won't need a jacket."

"I'm cold. That's all." Troy put his boots on, then left the house.

Shauna was still seated at the table. It was plainly obvious that Troy was sick, but pigs would fly before he would ever admit to it. She gave a heavy sigh, then looked up at the crucifix on the wall between two hanging photographs from her and Troy's wedding day. "Oh, I'm going to need a lot of help today, God. I'd appreciate some strength. I love that man, but he's more stubborn than a donkey sometimes." She stood, cleaned what was left of breakfast, and then went outside to continue her chores.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky. It being late spring meant all the trees had bloomed, and the flowering ones painted the Wyoming landscape in vibrant colors that stood nicely against the many shades of green of the grass and other trees. Shauna gave pause to gaze out beyond the fences of the ranch. When Sam's feeling better, we should take a walk to really appreciate this. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hoofbeats, and turned to see Lana, Troy's white Quarter Horse mare, trotting up to the gate. "Hello, sweetie," Shauna said with a smile, walking up to greet the horse. Concern immediately washed out her happiness when she saw Lana was tacked up, but missing a rider. "Where's Sam?"

Lana gently nudged Shauna with her muzzle, and gestured for her to follow.

"Alright, clearly you have something to show me. Okay, show me, girl." Shauna opened the fence, and followed the horse through the yard to the barn. When they got to the barn, Shauna found her husband lying by several huge bags of horse hay. "Sam!" She knelt by Troy, shaking him. "Sam, are you okay?"

Troy's eyes were closed, but he moaned, "Fine, sweetheart."

"No, you're not! Unless you've just decided to take a nap in the barn!"

"Give me a minute and I'll be fine."

"Absolutely not!" Shauna grabbed both of Troy's arms and hauled him up.

"I got work to do, sweetheart," Troy muttered.

"I'll do it! You need to be in bed! You're sick! Quit pretending you're not!" Shauna dragged Troy back to the house, with Lana following close behind, looking concerned for him. Shauna motioned for the horse to stay put, while opening the door and carrying the half-conscious Troy inside. She let out a grunt while dropping Troy on the couch. "You're burning up, Sam. What were you thinking?!"

"Fine, sweetheart," Troy slurred.

Shauna cursed under her breath while getting a washcloth and soaking it in cold water. She wrung it out as best she could, then placed it on Troy's forehead. "Get some rest. You'll just make yourself worse if you push yourself too hard." She sighed, feeling bad for getting mad at him, and knelt by the couch to gently hug Troy and put her head on his chest. She could hear his labored breathing and pounding heart. "I'll go finish what you started and come back to take care of you."

Troy weakly put his arm around Shauna, patting and stroking her back. "Love you, sweetheart," he mumbled.

"I love you, too, Sam." Shauna would have preferred to stay there, but ultimately decided to head back outside and finish both her chores and Troy's. Hours passed, but she eventually returned to the house. She was surprised to see Troy still on the couch, but also worried, as that meant he didn't even have the strength to pretend he wasn't sick anymore. "Oh, Sam, you poor thing."

Shauna changed into clean clothes, and went down to the kitchen to make fresh broth. She kept glancing out into the living room to check on Troy, but he hadn't moved an inch. Well, he's still breathing. That's good… I don't know what I'd do without him. He's given me more than I could ever hope to ask for. Shauna turned her attention to the crucifix again. He needs the strength. Not me—well, I need the strength to not give up, or get frustrated with him. I knew going into marriage that he's a handful sometimes, especially when he's not feeling well.

All was quiet aside from the chatter of chickens outside as Shauna ladled the broth into a small bowl. She carefully carried it out to the living room, and set it on the coffee table before kneeling by the couch. "Sam? You awake?"

"As awake as I'm going to get," Troy moaned.

"I made some hot broth for you."

"You didn't have to."

"No, this'll help you feel better. Can you sit up?"

"Yeah, I can try."

Shauna helped prop up Troy with a pillow. She set another pillow on his lap, and handed him the bowl of broth. "Is there anything else I can do to help?"

"Can I finish this first, sweetheart?"

"Yes. Sorry."

"Hey—" Troy reached over to touch Shauna's shoulder, "don't apologize. You're only trying to help."

"Thanks." Shauna kissed Troy's cheek. "I'll do my best."

"When have you not done your best?"

"Sam, I can't be at my best all the time—"

"You still try, and I appreciate it. I know I don't always show it, mainly because it's… hard to express with words alone."

"Can't argue with that." Shauna rested her head on Troy's shoulder. "It's easy to say 'I love you.' It's another to really mean it."

"I can feel you mean it whenever you say it." Troy smiled through his fever and exhaustion, and nuzzled Shauna's forehead.

"You always mean it when you say that you love me," Shauna replied. She kissed him again, then got comfortable next to him, keeping her head on his shoulder. She would stay as long as she possibly could.