Holding hands he was smiling with a happy look on his face.  It was a great day, more now than it had been looking forward to the riding lesson.  The conversation had made so many things clearer and honest between them.  As they walked it was a quiet time but comfortably quiet, not awkward at all. 

At the area in front of the stables, he paused and let Karen's hand slip away from his hand as he went to get the saddle.  He got the one that would allow her to ride aside, as it was generally easier to learn first as it was more a natural sitting manner.  Dora stayed still as he buckled on the gear on her back.  Then he turned to Karen.

"Ok, put the foot opposite from the leg you need to put over her back."  He gave her an example by doing it himself with a firm hold on the saddle horn and pulling himself up.  Looking down at her, he winked.  Then climbed back down in the reverse.  "Like that."