Looking for a budget bike for my wife’s first

Hello. I recently started mountain biking and would like to get my wife out with me.

I'm interested in a hardtail that she can learn and ease in on.

Budget: $1000. Maybe $200 wiggle room for a great deal.

Riding: Mostly easy trails, learning. She would like something she might be able to ride around the neighborhood time to time as well. But mostly would like her to come out and ride easy trails with a few roots and work her way up at her own pace.

Size: She is 5'-5'1"

Would like to have a dropper post.

I found this Specialized Fuse 27.5 on sale for $950. If anyone thinks that is a good deal or knows of something better I would love any input for her.

There is also a rockhopper on sale in the $600 range but no dropper and after getting one and having it installed in guessing the fuse is a better deal.

I'm also fairly new so I don't quite yet know all the small things to look for when evaluating a bike. I just would like something that she can learn and enjoy herself but not invest a ton into something she may decide she doesn't love.

Thank you so much in advance.