A bottle flew over Ruby’s head as she was heading to the back of the bar where the crowd was. She heard someone yell Ride’em Boss!!. Ruby smiled and she cut through the crowd. There she was, Bette with her jeans, muscle shirt, cowboy boots and hat, riding that mechanical bull like she wouldn’t get a chance ever again. Her back arched backward and her arm swinging, holding her balance as her hips bucked from the force of the machine. Soon the operator let her ease down slowly. Bette hopped off and grabbed a shot from one of the waitresses tray’s and yelled along with everyone else. She saw Ruby standing there. Smiling at her, Bette raised her shot glass in her direction and nodded. The strong red headed woman walked over to Bette.

            “You know, you really make this liven up this place.” Ruby shouted over the music and stomping of feet as the dancers did their rounds.

            “I know darlin’, now dance with me.” She grinned as she and Ruby starting spinning their way around the dance floor. Bette loved this place, she loved her bar. When she arrived in this small town she heard the men call it Little Texas. The only people who really lived around here were rodeo men, cowboys, a couple bikers, but mostly men who lived riding horses, and broke bulls. It took a long time for Bette to earn respect. But Ruby took her under her wing and helped her along. Bette earned respect the day she broke a horse. A wild mustang had been brought in from Texas and no one knew what to do with it. They were about to send it back when Bette noticed the horse.

            “Let me try.” She asked the ranch hand. He looked at her laughingly.

            “You?”

            “Yes me.” The men around her laughed but he then looked at her serious face.

            “Alright then, climb on in their little missy. See what you can make of ‘em.” She did. She climbed over the wood fence and stood. She looked at the stallion and sweared the animal was sizing her up. He paced on the other side of the corral. Then with one quick movement he charged. She stood motionless a look of determination on her face as she saw the black beast racing towards her. He almost bowled her over when he stopped abruptly. They men on the other side of the fence stood in amazement. She just stood there. The horse staring at her as she looked back into its dark eyes. She reached out her hand and placed it firmly on his muzzle and moved it up to his forehead.