Page 1 of Only One More Lie

CHAPTER 1

DECEMBER, LAST YEAR

Only one more lie, Juniper Burrows promised herself as she stood at the fence beside the snowy reindeer pasture. One more, and she’d be done.

She couldn’t handle the secrets anymore—and she especially hated keeping things from her parents.

If anyone questioned her, she’d keep her secret safe. But this would be the last time. She couldn’t go on like this.

“What are you thinking about?”

Juniper glanced up at the sound of a cheerful voice. She’d been so lost in her own problems that she hadn’t even heard her friend approaching.

Her thoughts immediately shifted to the fact that Peppermint had come out in public—something her friend had vowed not to do. No one could know she was at the camp. The revelation would only create more tension.

“What are you doing out here?” Juniper glanced around. “Someone might see you.”

“Anyone who sees me will think I’m a guest here. It will be okay.” Peppermint stared at her as if willing Juniper to understand. Then she pulled her black cap down on her forehead and tugged her oversized white coat closer.

“Not my parents! They won’t understand.” Panic crept into Juniper’s voice. She thought she’d explained this to her friend.

“Then I’ll make sure they don’t see me.” Peppermint flashed a smile.

“Why did you come out?”

“Because I’m going stir crazy. I need to be around people!”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t stay here. This isn’t the place to be social. You’re going to get me in trouble.” She hated to be harsh, but sometimes Peppermint didn’t seem grateful for the sacrifices Juniper had made to let her stay here.

“I don’t want to get you in trouble. I promise you I’m being careful, and I’m trying to figure out my next steps. I know I can’t stay here forever.”

Her words eased some of the tension across Juniper’s chest.

Peppermint shifted and leaned against the fence, looking so laid-back that Juniper felt a touch of jealousy.

“What were you thinking about when I walked up?” Peppermint asked. “You looked so preoccupied when I saw you over here.”

“I’m thinking about what to get people for Christmas,” Juniper lied and instantly chided herself for breaking her earlier vow.

Secrets and lies . . . two things she hated. Yet here she was engaging in them both.

But it wasn’t just her. Her parents had been keeping secrets from her also.

Truthfully, she was miffed at them. She’d wanted to take some college classes in person in Fairbanks. They’d said they needed her here.

Then they’d had the nerve to tell her to stay away from the one boy she was interested in. They’d told her this guy was bad news—just like they’d told her that Peppermint was a bad influence because she was flighty and had a wild streak.

The disagreement made Juniper want to rebel. Made her want to date Caleb, even though she’d been forbidden. Wanted to make her gloat about Peppermint living at the camp right under their noses, though they were clueless.

She was an adult now! Why did they still think they could dictate all her decisions? It wasn’t fair. How could she be so different from her parents?

Starla, her favorite reindeer on the farm, nudged Juniper’s hand and pulled her from her thoughts. The creature clearly wanted more of the hay Juniper held. She was surprised none of the other reindeer had run over to get some. Instead, they munched on their dinner from a feeding trough at the center of the pen.

“You’re one hungry girl, aren’t you?” Juniper murmured. “Is that because you’re getting ready for your big flight on Christmas Eve?”

Juniper didn’t really believe that, but she had fun thinking about it—and thinking about reindeer flying was better than thinking about secrets and lies.

Her family ran a reindeer farm forty-five minutes outside Fairbanks, Alaska. Visitors came from all over to stay here. To meet the animals. To take hikes through the boreal forest with the creatures.

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