Free Cowboys & Angels by Vicki Lewis Thompson

music will be boring, you understand. That will be first-rate. But you’ll still play for the party when everyone can dance instead of being stuck in these rows of chairs.”
    “Watkins is right,” Trey said. “They’re looking forward to the ceremony itself. You and Pam are important to them, and they want to be part of this wedding. I don’t think it’ll work for you to fly off to Vegas.”
    “And I doubt Pam would go, anyway,” Watkins added. “You can’t get married in Vegas without a bride.”
    “See, that’s where you two come in.” Emmett began to pace again, waving his arms as he walked. “If you both tell her it’s a great idea, she might listen. I’ve tried to get Emily on board, but my stubborn daughter won’t hear of it. I’ve talked to Sarah and that didn’t go well, either.” He turned to Watkins. “I even tried talking to Mary Lou a few minutes ago. She popped in to see how the decorations were coming along. She’s completely against the Vegas plan.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me,” Watkins said.
    “It surprised me! You and Mary Lou got married on a damned Panama Canal cruise, for God’s sake! You didn’t go through all this foolishness!”
    “You’re right about the cruise.” In a gesture that said Watkins was stalling for time so he could think, he took off his hat, still damp from the snow, and brushed a speck of lint from the crown. Then he repositioned the hat on his head and glanced up at Emmett. “I’m Mary Lou’s husband, so I understand where you’re coming from.”
    “I knew you would. You need to get me out of this circus. The party’s okay. I’m fine with the party. It’s standing up in front of a room full of people dressed in a coat that doesn’t fit right, and saying those words, which should be private, in front of all those folks...”
    “You and Mary Lou are alike in that. She didn’t want a big deal, either, especially because we’d both been dodging the question of marriage for so many years.”
    “Exactly! Just like Pam and me. So why won’t Mary Lou back me on this? She of all people should understand.”
    Watkins shook his head. “When you put it like that, I’m not sure I have the answer.”
    “Look,” Trey said. “You can disregard me if you want, but maybe it’s because Mary Lou can see it from a different angle this time.”
    Watkins turned to gaze at him. “That’s smart thinking, son. Plus we just had Sarah and Pete’s wedding in August, which everybody, including Mary Lou, enjoyed so much. She might understand a little better now why it’s important to let folks be a part of a wedding ceremony.”
    Emmett sighed. “You’re saying I have to take one for the team, aren’t you?”
    “Well, and for Pam,” Watkins said. “You love her, right?”
    “I’ve loved her for years.”
    “There you go.” Watkins smiled. “If saying her vows in front of all her friends and family will make her happy, then you gotta do it.”
    Emmett scrubbed a hand over his face and looked at them. “Guess so.”
    As if on cue, Pam walked into the room. “There you two are! Ready to play for us?” She was dressed in a cheerful red velour sweat suit, and not a blond hair was out of place in her chin-length bob, but her bright tone sounded forced.
    “You know what?” Emmett walked over and put his arms around her. “We don’t need a preview.”
    Her body stiffened. “Why not?”
    “These boys will do a fine job. I don’t think we need to worry about their performance. This wedding’s going to be great.”
    Pam looked stunned. “It is?”
    “Yep. I can hardly wait.” He glanced over at Trey and Watkins. “See you both at the bachelor party tonight. In the meantime, I’m going to have a long and very private lunch with my fiancée.”
    “See you tonight!” Watkins picked up his guitar case and motioned to Trey. “Let’s go, cowboy.”
    Trey grabbed his guitar and followed Watkins out of the room, but he couldn’t resist glancing