He gave her a carrot from a small cooler kept in the barn and showed her how to keep her hand flat so her fingers didn't get bit as Jack ate out of her hand. She giggled quietly, pressing into him as she got horse slobber and oats all over her hand. He laughed and petted the large animal's head. "Good boy," he said jokingly. He gave her a wet towel and led her to the side, giving her time to say hello to the other animals while he saddled up Jack. "The grey one is Star, the brown one is Amigo and the black is Cadillac. Watch Caddy, he likes to try to push people around." He took Jack out of his stall and gave him a quick brush down, asking John, the guy who took care of the horses, to get Jack's saddle and blanket, then changed his mind mid-sentence. "Just get the snaffle bit bridle, and a stool." John nodded, smiling and returned soon with the requested tack. Jasper slipped the bit easily into Jack's mouth and secured the bridle on the side.
He called Penny over and she looked at him dubiously. "What about the saddle or whatever?" she asked.
"Nah, don't need one, promise. Old Jack here wouldn't hurt a fly let alone you or me. He doesn't much care for the saddles in his old age. You'll like it." He looked into her eyes. "Trust me." Her face firmed a bit and she nodded once. He lifted her up on the horse easily and used the step to swing on behind her. "Okay, now the trick in to not panic and grip with your legs. Just move with the natural motion; it's easy. I'm right behind you, you can't fall off without taking me with you and I refuse to fall off today." He kissed the back of her neck. "Ready? Let's go."
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