Come on Bette wake upwe have to get going

Hhmmphhhuhhhuph

Bettecome onget up

Tina reached out and pulled Bette up into a sitting position. Bette had been taking a nap after her doing her morning chores with Tina and Lance. Normally she wouldnt be this tired in the morning, but with the day she had yesterday, which lasted late into the night no doubt, she was exhausted. Bette looked at her watch and glared at Tina.

Tina Ive only been asleep for an hourwe dont have to go until four right?

Yeah but we have to get ready and head over there

You said it was at your cousins housewhich is only four farms over right?

Tina looked at Bette and smiled. She sat down next to her and looked at her with a goofy smile on her face.

Yes babebut its gonna take us like over an hour to get there.

WHAT? Oh Tina were not going in that crop duster thing again are we?

Hahaha. No baby dont worrywere driving.

Bette ran the back of her hand over her forehead pretending to wipe away sweat. Tina laughed at Bettes reaction and she stood up smiling with her hands on her hips.

Why Bette? I thought you liked to fly.

I do. But that thing was not flying. It was suicide T. Flying involves a comfy leather seat in a large commercial plane.

Okay city girl come onlets go get you ready

Tina took Bettes hand and led her up the stairs so that they could change. Today was her grandparents fiftieth wedding anniversary and the whole basis for their trip to what Bette referred to as farm *****. Tina shoved Bette in the shower before she could even think of pulling her in also and Bette pouted until Tina promised that if she was a good girl and behaved herself that she would be rewarded at the end of the night, if she made it till then that is. Forty-five minutes later both Tina and Bette were showered and Tina was fully dressed and she was helping Bette decide what to wear. After a few minutes of picking and choosing they were dressed and went downstairs to meet Lance and Denise so they could leave. Bette had on a fitted pair of Diesel jeans, a black camisole under a blue and white plaid shirt that Tina had lent her and some black cowboy boots that Bette refused to wear at first, since she said that they werent doing chores so she shouldnt be forced to wear those hideous things, but Tina assured her she was better off wearing those than expensive Italian boots she wanted to wear.

Bette, Tina, Lance and Denise all piled into the pickup and within minutes they were out on the dirt highway on their way to Tinas cousins house. On the way Tina gave Bette some last minute instructions on dealing with her crazy family.

Okay babe just a few last minute things. Grandma Jo is practically deaf so even if you yell she can barely hearso dont take offense if she doesnt answer you okay? And Chase and Henry are going through a chewing phase so dont leave your bag lying around or they might start chewing on it

What kind of dogs are they?

Who?

Chase and Henry

Oh theyre not dogs. Theyre Dereks kids

Oh

Tina laughed as Bettes face contorted in complete confusion. She looked at Tina with one eyebrow raised and a half smile on her face.

So Dereks kids are going through a chewing phase huh?

Yeahbut it was nothing like when Rusty went through hisnow that was badwe couldnt leave anything around

And whose kid is that?

Oh no Rusty is a dog.

Oh

Bette just shook her head in total confusion and laughed. This should be interesting, she thought as she looked out the window at the passing scenery. After about thirty minutes they finally turned off the main road and onto a smaller dirt one and Bette felt the beginning of her rare car-sickness episodes coming on. Lance skillfully drove the pick-up through the hard dirt and soon they stopped in front of a large house with what sounded like a mass of people coming from inside. Lance and Denise hopped out and went inside carrying the Jello cheesecake that Denise made for the party. Tina and Bette got out and Tina rubbed Bettes back as she tried to regain control over her stomach. After a few minutes she felt better so they went around back to the party and when they got there Bette stopped dead in her tracks in complete awe.

There were about eighty people all eating, laughing and talking and Bette wondered if these people were all related to Tina. She remembered Tina saying something about immediate family only, but there were just too many people there for that to be true. Everywhere she looked Bette saw men drinking beer and talking in small groups while the women were seated at the tables eating and talking amongst themselves. There were groups of kids running all over the farm some playing with the dogs and some just up to no good from what Bette could see. Tina looked at Bette and laughed as she saw the look of surprise on Bettes face. Grabbing her hand she led Bette towards the mass of people and winked at her.

Come on babelets eat

O..ookay

Bette tried to smile as Tina led her around and introduced her to some of the people while she tried to make a mental note of everyones name so that she wouldnt be rude and forget later. Finally her and Tina ended up in front of two large tables lined up side-by-side covered in dishes of food. Tina grabbed a plate and handed Bette one and before she knew it Tina had pilled loads of food on her plate, some of which Bette didnt even recognize. Bette and Tina made their way over to a table and sat down with two ladies and a young girl who immediately squealed when she saw Tina and ran over to sit in her lap. Bette smiled at this as Tina introduced her to the women.

Bette this is my cousin Nancy and my cousin Heather and little cutie is Nicole, or Nikki.

Hihihi Nikki

Hi

Nikki smiled at Bette bashfully as she tried to bury her face in Tinas chest. Nancy and Heather laughed at Nikkis shy behavior and Bette smiled at it and looked at Tina with a sincere smile on her face. There was something about seeing Tina holding a child that captured Bettes heart. They began eating and chatting and Bette found herself completely at ease with these people and she was glad they didnt have any reservations about their cousin being a *****. Tina even called her babe in front of them and neither Nancy or Heather seemed to notice. Bette liked them very much. After dinner, or in this case after all the food was gone and the men had enough to drink, it was time for the celebrations to really begin. An elderly couple walked to the middle of the yard and Bette assumed they were Tinas grandparents as they thanked everyone for coming and sharing this occasion with them. They toasted the happy couple and soon music began blaring out of the speakers that were set up all over the yard and everyone began dancing. Bette laughed as Tina joined them in a few line dances but declined gracefully when some of Tinas cousins asked her if she wanted to try it. There are some things Bette Porter just cannot do and she knew that line dancing with a bunch of Midwestern folk was one of them. After a few songs Tina came and sat down next to Bette.

You looked great out there babe

Thanksyou sure you dont wanna try it?

Um thats okayIll leave the hoe-down all on your side of the family

Hahahaokay

Just then Tinas cousin Derek came over and sat with them. Bette had met him before and she thought he was a complete *****. He was a typical redneck who wouldnt last five minutes in a city like LA, but Bette knew that was just the rough exterior. He had been a big support to Tina in the past and for that Bette was grateful so she never gave him too much trouble and was usually tolerant of him, unless of course he deserved it. It was obvious that he was drunk and Bette rolled her eyes a little when he sat down with them.

Hey cousin

Hey Derek. Having fun?

Yuphey Bette.

Hey

Hey Bette me and Jimmy had a little bet going and we were wondering if you could help us with this?

Bette looked at Tina and rolled her eyes again. How many times had she heard a pickup line that started like that and she thought if that was this was then had to be a real moron to think he could hit on her in front of Tina, his own cousin, like that. Bette held her tongue however and smiled politely as she answered.

What do you need?

Derek grinned and winked at Tina.

Well Jimmy bet me fifty bucks that you couldnt stay on Slick for more than eight seconds

Slick?

Derek no. She is not getting on that thing

Getting on what? What is slick?

Derek grinned and stood up. He motioned for her and Tina to follow so they did and Jimmy laughed as he stood up and followed them to the barn. Inside the barn were a few horses and for a moment Bette feared that she might have to ride a horse again and flashbacks of her last encounter with Cookie flashed before her eyes. What she didnt see however was the mechanical bull off to the side covered with a tarp. See, Derek was the state bull riding champ and Slick was his practice mechanical bull. The bull was surrounded by hay to soften the fall and when he pulled the cover off Bettes eyes nearly popped out of her head.

What the ***** is that?

This is Slick. Shes helped me win many championshipsand Jimmy thinks youre too city to ride her

Okay Derek thats enough. Bette you dont have to

Yeah she doesnt have to but maybe she wants to

Bette looked at Derek and Jimmy with one eyebrow cocked. Truth be told she didnt want to ride this damn thing, but the way they were looking at her was enough to make her want to do it just to shut them up. Plus, she didnt like Derek calling her a city girl and Bette Porter does not back down from a challenge. Straightening her jeans and her shirt she turned to Jimmy with a smirk on her face.

Make it a hundred and youre on

Yeehaawwgrease her up cousin

Bette.

Dont worry Teight seconds isnt so bad right?

Bette squeezed Tinas hand as she went over and stood next to the bull. She got on with some help from Derek and after he gave her some basic instructions she took a deep breath and nodded that she was ready. Slick kicked into gear and before she knew it she was being tossed every which way hanging on for dear life. Derek and Jimmy were cracking up in laughter as Tina glared at them and prayed to whoever was listening that Bette wouldnt break any bones doing this stupid stunt.

Shhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttt!!!

Bette was being thrashed around like she was a rag doll and it took all her strength to hang on to the saddle as Slick did her best to kick Bette off. Derek turned it up a notch and Bette felt like she was going to be sick and that she wanted to kick Dereks ***** all at the same time. Bette thought she was doing okay but all of a sudden Slick bucked hard in one direction while her head was going in another and Bette was thrown hard from the saddle. She landed with a loud thud and slid into the edge of a stall that was near her.

OOOWWWWWWWW

ShitBette are you okay?

Tina rushed over to her and tried to check her for any serious damage while Derek and Jimmy doubled over in laughter. Bette bit back the tears of pain she felt shooting through her back and it took her a good ten minutes just to stand up and dust herself off. She knew she was going to be black and blue all over tomorrow but the main thing was that she didnt break any bones. She took a deep breath and mustered every ounce of control she had as she walked over to the laughing idiots. With a smirk on her face she grinned at Jimmy.

Not bad for a city girl huh? You can drop the money off at Tinas tomorrow.

And with that her and Tina walked arm in arm out of the barn with Bette leaning on Tina for support. As much as she knew that was a bad idea it thrilled her to know she was able to do something like that. Tina on the other hand was pissed that Bette even gave in to their teasing but she had to shake her head and laugh. No one ever said Bette was a pushover and she more than proved herself tonight. Bette however only had one thought running through her head. Thank god we are going home in two days.