“That’s true love for you,” Megan said. “Maggie’s waited years for the beautiful wedding she wants. But she knows what’s really important, and that’s all that matters.”

“Yeah. Travis is a lucky guy to find a woman who loves him that much. So is Rush. All I can do is hope that when my turn comes, I’ll be lucky, too.”

The sidelong glance he gave her was unreadable. Was his comment leading somewhere? Was it meant for her?

“I keep thinking about the accident,” he said. “When I looked back and saw that pile of trees that had slid off the back of the trailer on top of Travis—Lord, that was the worst moment of my life. It’s hard not to blame myself. If Travis had been driving the ATV, or if I’d insisted on securing those trees with a second rope, or if I’d realized that the trailer was overloaded—or if I’d told him to stand back when I hit the gas on the ATV . . .”

“Don’t,” Megan said. “Accidents happen. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault.”

“Thanks. I needed somebody to tell me that. I’m glad it could be you.” Without taking his eyes off the road, he reached for her hand, found it with her help, and cradled it in his for a moment. Warmth radiated from the contact of his work-callused palm against hers. When he let go to manage the gears, Megan felt the emptiness in her hand. She was just beginning to realize how deeply she’d fallen for him.

Right now, their relationship was ripe with promise. But how would he react when he learned about her deception? If he turned his back and walked away, would she even want to stay in Branding Iron?

There was no way she could make a decision until she’d told him the truth.

“You told me you’d spoken with Maggie,” she said. “Have you talked with Travis at all?”

Conner shook his head. “He was unconscious when I got the trees off him. Until I felt his pulse and checked his breathing, I was afraid I’d killed him.” He shuddered at the memory. “I called an ambulance, then called Rush. We didn’t dare move him before the paramedics showed up. He came to later, in the hospital, but he was in so much pain that they had him on drugs. He was asleep when I last saw him. And I was busy working yesterday. So, no, we haven’t talked since the accident. That’s one reason why I wanted to see him today. He needs to know that I’m sorry, and that Rush and I will take care of the ranch and the business.”

Megan rested a hand on his arm. “I’m guessing Travis already knows those things.”