Page 109 of Big Dill

“Now who’s food shaming?” he counters.

The banter flows easily, until I notice the silence in the room. The air seems to still, like someone hit pause. Jaxon has stopped mid-spoonful, staring at us with unfocused curiosity, and the doctor gazes at us, eyebrows lifted.

Her finger goes back and forth between the two of us. “Are you two…” she starts.

“No,” we say in unison.

Brody jerks his hand away from me like I’ve suddenly become contagious.

“He’s like…my brother,” I blurt, a snort escaping before I can stop it.

Jaxon snorts too and then turns back to his Jello, seemingly satisfied. He scoops up a spoonful, and I swear I’ve seen a prettier shade of green on a bullfrog.

The doctor watches us a moment longer, then—apparently satisfied—turns her attention fully to Brody.

“Can I speak with you in the hall?” she asks. “I’d like to talk about Jaxon’s therapy and this pickleball social you two have started.” Her smile brightens. “I’d love to come check it out sometime.”

I bet you would.

He’s a lumber-snack, and there isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t want a bite. The thought makes my stomach twist, because I’m starting to think Elise actually wants him back. She was only supposed to be home for a short visit, but it feels endless. Over the last week she’s practically been living at the social, always hovering around Brody, always texting about something.

Is the reason he didn’t answer her text in front of me because he didn’t want me to know what they were talking about? Sure, he says they’re “friends” now, but friends is exactly what Tristan called Lucy… until she wasn’t.

I don’t know why I’m so worked up about this. Brody and I can’t ever be more. I have no plans to live in Churchill Falls forever and I’m pretty sure he’s still in love with Elise, not her look-alike.

“You okay, sis?” Jaxon asks as I glare at the doctor’s retreating back while she disappears into the hall with Brody.

“I am,” I say, forcing my eyes back to him. “Now that I see you’re doing okay. I was so worried about you.”

His expression softens, the humor slipping away. “This really does suck.”

I move closer to the bed, careful of the brace, and rest my hand on his arm. “It does. But we’ll get through it.”

He nods, eyes glassy but steady. “We always do.” Then he goes quiet for a beat, like he’s sifting through years of memories, the kind where it was always just the two of us against the world. “We get through everything together, don’t we?”

My stomach twists, a cold knot forming in my gut. If he knew what Brody and I have been doing behind closed doors, could he forgive it? Or would it shatter more than just our relationship—costing him a friendship and a business they both built?

A male voice grabs my attention, and I lift my head to see a man with similar features to Brody walk in. His smile is big and friendly the moment he sees me.

“Jami.” He opens his arms and comes over, pulling me into a hug like we’re long-lost friends. Honestly it’s crazy how the people of this province instantly treat you like family. I’m not used to that—but I’m really beginning to accept it—maybe even like it.

“You must be Devon.” I laugh as he gives me a bear hug that nearly squeezes the wind out of me.

He releases me and I can almost hear Brody now…breathe. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Let me guess. You’ve heard all about me, because Jaxon likes to talk when he’s medicated.”

He laughs. “You’re right, Jaxon. She is funny.” He steps back and smiles at me. “But you didn’t tell me how beautiful she was.”

“Hey, careful, Devon,” Jaxon warns. “That’s my sister you’re talking about.”

Devon grins. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Devon,” Jaxon warns again, but there’s a playfulness about him.

Devon taps his head. “Don’t be dense, bro. It’s not like you can fight me.”

I laugh at their banter.