"Oh, no, really it's fine. It was totally my fault…" and then not knowing what else to say, she turned her head. In the process, her gaze shifted to the bay horse at the end of the lead rope—a tall, muscled gelding—and facing the horse completely, she said, "Hello."

And then she cringed internally while attempting to remain calm. Had she really just said hello to the horse?

But Matt only smiled.