There's something that is always rewarding about showing a beginning rider the ropes. Everyone should have this sort of thing in their lives, Sallie has thought - and she gets to show it to them. All the better.

Sallie comes back with the saddle and tack in her arms, dumping it sort of unceremoniously on a beam next to the stall. She attaches the lead to bring Tequila out of his stall and shows Steve quickly how everything straps together once she hands him the lead to keep Tequila there.

"...And if you want, I got a block you can use to get up."