Shiloh is a story told in the third person about a young man, Leroy Moffitt. The man is 34 years old at the time of this story. The story begins with his wife, Norma Jean, lifting weights. Leroy is a truck driver, who has injured his leg in an accident while on the road. He is now home recovering. He is afraid to go back to work as a trucker and decides not to. While he decides what he wants to do next, he starts building models and other crafts. He decides that he wants to build a real log cabin.

Norma Jean simply tells Leroy that they will not allow log cabins in the new subdivisions. Norma Jean works at a cosmetic counter and knows all about makeup. He thinks about oil. He has been feeling more in love with her since he has been...