Page 97 of Only One More Lie

He and Ranger nodded at each other as they took their places back with the group around the fire. The cabin appeared secure.

“False alarm,” Duke announced.

Tundra stood and began to turn in circles to get comfortable. As he did, his tail swept the coffee table, and a folder fell off, scattering papers everywhere.

Simmy quickly reached down to grab them and stuff them back into the folder.

But as she did, her gaze stopped at one. She held it in her hands, staring at it.

Her hand began to tremble.

“Simmy?” Andi seemed to sense that something was wrong as she frowned and leaned toward their friend.

But Simmy didn’t seem to hear Andi.

She tore her eyes away from the paper in her hands, her gaze laser focused on Juniper. “This is yours, isn’t it?”

Duke glanced at Juniper, wondering what exactly was going on. He hated being in the dark about it, but he hoped to hear an explanation soon.

Juniper nodded. If it was possible, her face went even paler.

Simmy stared at her, an unreadable emotion dancing in her gaze. “Is this what I think it is?”

Juniper ran a hand over her face, her expression crumpling. “Yes. I think it is.”

“Does somebody want to explain what’s going on?” Ranger finally asked. “Because I, for one, have no idea.”

But it was as if Simmy and Juniper didn’t hear him. They kept staring at each other.

Then finally Juniper mumbled, “I think you’re my mother.”

CHAPTER 51

Andi took a moment to comprehend what had just been said, unsure if she’d heard correctly.

Instead of jumping in with questions—which was her nature—she waited to hear what the two women had to say. Whatever the truth was, this was Simmy and Juniper’s story. Not Andi’s or anyone else’s in the group.

“Did you say you think I’m your mom?” Simmy stared at her, a stunned look in her gaze. “I mean, I very well could be the surrogate who gave birth to you. It’s hard to say for sure, but your birth date matches. That’s the date I gave birth to my first baby via surrogacy. I remember all those dates.”

“I’ve been trying to figure out the truth for the past year and a half or so, ever since I realized my parents may not be my parents.”

Simmy shook her head, her gaze a mix of compassion and confusion. “No, sweetie. As a surrogate, I carried you. But I’m not your biological mother. I’m sorry.”

“In most cases, that’s true.” Juniper swallowed hard as she paused. “But not in mine.”

The gang sat in stunned silence as they waited to hear the rest of the story.

Juniper swallowed again and fanned her face as if unable to speak.

“I don’t understand how you could be mine,” Simmy finally said. “The embryo . . . it may or may not have belonged to your mom and dad. There was a big scandal with?—”

“I know,” Juniper finished, moisture rushing to her eyes. “I heard about it. About how the man who was brokering the deals was actually using embryos from himself and his first wife.”

Simmy nodded slowly as if carefully treading water.

Juniper let out a sigh. “I guess maybe I should start at the beginning.”

“Please do,” Simmy said quietly.

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