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Nancy and George.
    Though the barn provided protection against the wind, the dogs did not sleep on the concrete floor. Instead, each had a wooden pallet covered with straw. After Craig had cleaned out the old straw, he dragged a fresh bale from one corner of the barn and started forking it onto the pallets. “This keeps them warm and helps conserve energy,” he explained. “That’s important in the winter.”
    Nancy and George grabbed shovels and helped Craig prepare the dogs’ beds.
    â€œThanks,” Craig said when they’d finished. “It goes a lot faster when you have help.”
    â€œDoesn’t Steve help?” Nancy asked.
    Craig shook his head. “Steve races the dogs. The care and feeding are up to me.”
    Nancy thought there was a tinge of resentment in Craig’s voice. She was glad when George changed the subject.
    â€œWhat do you feed the dogs?” she asked.
    â€œDog food—what else?” Craig laughed.“We give them the dry stuff in the summer.” He gestured toward a fenced-in corner of the barn where several dozen large bags of food were stacked. “During racing season they get hot food, things like cooked meat and fish. Lots of vitamins, too. They burn up a lot of calories running.”
    The sound of barking told the girls that Steve and the dog team were returning.
    â€œThey’re in great shape today,” Steve said, entering the barn. His face was red with exertion, but he was grinning. For the first time since Nancy had met him, he looked completely happy. “I know I’m going to win the Solstice.”
    â€œI hope you do.” George smiled at him.
    â€œWant to take them for a run?” Steve offered.
    â€œCould I?” George asked enthusiastically.
    â€œIt’s easy,” Craig assured her, leading them outside. “The dogs are used to running one route here, and they’ll go that way. All you have to do is guide them.” He pointed to the handlebar. “You hold this and yell when you want the dogs to turn or stop.”
    â€œDo you know the commands?” Steve asked.
    George shook her head slightly. “I thought everyone said mush to get them started, but you yelled hike.”
    â€œEverybody uses something different at thebeginning. What’s important are whoa, gee, and haw,” Craig explained. “You know what those mean, don’t you? ‘Stop,’ ‘right,’ and ‘left.’ ”
    George nodded.
    â€œYou can ride the runners,” Steve said, pointing to the back of the sled. “The only time you have to get off is going up a hill. Then you run behind the sled.”
    â€œAnd you said it was easy.” George took her position behind the team, grabbed the handlebar, and released the brake.
    â€œHike, Thunder!” she cried.
    With a jerk, the team was off. Soon George and the dogs disappeared up the trail.
    When they came back a short time later, she was grinning from ear to ear. “It’s wonderful! Almost like flying!”
    Craig checked the dogs and tightened one of the neck lines. “Your turn, Nancy,” he said.
    Nancy stepped up, grabbed the handlebar, and released the brake. “Hike!” she called.
    The dogs surged forward, easily pulling the heavy sled. Thunder, the lead dog, turned his head, as though checking the other dogs’ progress, and Nancy heard him bark a short command. In response one of the two wheel dogs, the ones closest to the sled, moved away from his partner.
    â€œGee!” Nancy shouted the command to turn right as the trail curved. Thunder led the teamaround the corner. The cold wind drew tears from Nancy’s eyes, but she barely noticed. Her pulse was pounding with exhilaration.
    All too soon the barn was in sight again, and Nancy had to stop the team with a loud “Whoa!”
    â€œYou and George were great!” Craig said enthusiastically. “You’re natural