Daniel broke the silence, “How are you holding up, Ruth?” He was full of concern. “This must be hard for you.”
She looked up at him and saw compassion in his expression and realized the concern he displayed for others hid his own pain. She wondered what was in his thoughts.
“Yes, I admit seeing Richard like this has been hard. I remember everything that I tried to forget about the time my father was sick.” She noticed Daniel grimace and look away.
“I’m sorry,” Ruth at tears. “I didn’t mean to—“
“It’s alright,” Daniel said, his expression one of sympathy. “There’s no one else here, and you can speak freely. That is, if you want to.”
Ruth looked at him in surprise. Was this the same Daniel that she lived with at the Grant ranch? He was being so kind and thoughtful, and she’d never opened up to anyone before —other than her father—certainly never to another man. She realized that he’d been different toward her ever since she began to work at the clinic. Was he only being kind because she worked there as a nurse and the clinic needed nurses so urgently?
Thoughts of her father flooded her mind as she listened to Richard’s raspy breathing and occasional coughing spells. She looked into Daniel’s intense blue eyes, now full of worry for his colleague.
“It started as a common cold and sore throat,” Ruth began slowly. “A friend, Dr. Thompson, treated my father as he usually would, and my father recovered. After a few days, however, the coughing began and got worse. This happened over a few days until he battled just to breathe …” her voice trailed away and Daniel remained silent, tilting his head as if listening to her words replay themselves again.
She took a sip of water and the liquid felt cool and fresh to her parched throat. She closed her eyes and felt her heart beat faster and heat rose in her cheeks when she realized Daniel was watching her.
“It’s alright, Ruth,” Daniel assured her. “I think you really need to talk about it. The more you tell me, perhaps I’ll find a way to help Richard, too.”
Ruth nodded; maybe he was right. She felt comfortable talking to Daniel, that she could tell him anything. The pain in her chest grew and tugged at her heart. It intensified the more she thought of Richard and remembered how her father suffered. Would Richard meet the same fate? No, she was sure the information she’d given Daniel would help Richard, and hopefully her diligent prayers would as well.
“It wasn’t long before my father was sent to rest in bed. He fought it, of course,” Ruth gave a small smile. “He was stubborn, and during those days he was at his worst, he didn’t want to stay in bed,” she felt emotion sting her eyes again, and before she knew it, tears ran silently down her cheeks. She dropped her head and let them flow soundlessly.
She felt Daniel’s hand on her arm in a gesture of comfort. “You’re not alone anymore, Ruth,” Daniel’s voice was steady and reassuring.
“I kept telling him to stay in bed, but he wouldn’t listen. He felt bad about leaving me with all the ranch chores and …” she wiped her eyes and accepted the handkerchief Daniel proffered.
She took a moment before continuing. “Eventually he had no choice but to stay in bed. He grew weak quickly and he knew his sickness before Dr. Thompson diagnosed him. He just didn’t want to worry me. He didn’t want me to be scared.”
“Ruth,” Daniel said, his tone drew her attention to the sadness on his face. “I have never met anyone as strong as you. I don’t think it’s possible for you to be scared of anything.” His mouth quirked upward in amusement. “You certainly made an impression on Alistair.”
“Yes, I suppose,” she said with a laugh and smiled at Daniel, appreciating his attempt to lift her spirits.
She blew out a sigh. “I had to realize that my father was not going to get well. I prayed and I knew that if it was the Lord’s will, my father would get well, but if not …” her voice trailed off, and the ward fell silent for a moment.
“He was thirsty often,” Ruth continued as Daniel checked on Richard, who was sleeping despite his labored breathing.
“He couldn’t eat or drink anything because his throat became swollen and Dr. Thompson prepared bags of ice to put on the left and right sides of his neck. He told me to give my father pieces of ice to suck on, which I did. My father found it difficult to swallow the willow bark tea, however.”
She wiped her eyes with the handkerchief and wondered why she was telling all this to Daniel, and yet he listened. He listened to every word and comforted her afterward.
Satisfied with Richard’s condition, Daniel went to the table with the jug of water, and refilled Ruth’s glass before his own. She had never seen this side of Daniel before. He was sympathetic, caring, and kindhearted—not the person that she thought he was and found herself more and more attracted to him.
“His fever wouldn’t break and he got weaker, his breathing got worse,” Ruth said, the words tumbling from her lips. The more she remembered, the more her heart ached. “I miss my father every day and I remember everything he told me. He was my only family.” She watched as Daniel returned to his seat silently.
“I understand, Ruth,” he said tenderly. “I was close to my father, too; he was my rock.” Daniel’s gaze seemed to pierce her heart and for a moment she felt vulnerable that he could see and know everything about her. Her pulse quickened and she warmed to his words, surprised and grateful that he’d opened up to her.
“Life was hard after Mary Jane died, and my father was the one who helped me pick up the pieces.” Daniel looked at his hands, thinking as he continued. “When he got sick, I went through the same as you did, except …” he trailed off and his eyes never left hers, and he said with conviction, “I didn’t believe it. Istillbelieve my father could have been healed somehow.” He blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t be saying all this, especially not here or now. Only God knows what happened and I hope to one day find out what killed him so I can find a cure. I’ve not spoken of my intention to anyone. When I voiced my fears, no one would listen, and I became mad with grief.”
Ruth was touched by his sudden openness and sincerity with her such that that he would share such deep feelings. Did he trust her that much? Was he indirectly asking for her help? She was thankful that he listened to her. He would never know how much she appreciated his comfort. She knew she could trust him, and she’d never felt this close to Daniel—to anyone—other than her father, before now.
“I believe with God’s help you will learn how to treat that illness, Daniel,” Ruth smiled and saw surprise on his face. “You’ll find the cure. I know you will.”
Ruth felt with complete conviction and assurance in her heart that this was where God wanted her to be. After opening up to Daniel, she knew she could trust him and after hearing his words, she felt comforted and knew in her heart that she needed to help him in return.
Chapter Twenty
The ward had fallen silent. Only Richard’s continued short slow breathing could be heard; he was asleep. Daniel felt exhausted. It pained him to see his friend helpless and at the same time he was scared, but he found it strangely calming to have Ruth nearby.
