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mushers.”
    Nancy laughed, breathless with delight. Lindsay was right. One taste of racing a dog sled, and she was hooked.
    â€œWe’re going to practice at the local track,” Craig said. “Do you two want to come along?”
    â€œTry to keep me away!” George challenged.
    The girls helped Steve and Craig load the dogs and the sled into the back of Craig’s truck.
    â€œYou’d better bring your van, just in case,” Craig told Steve. “The truck’s running now, but I don’t guarantee it.”
    Steve invited George to ride with him, and it was clear he wanted to be alone with her, so Nancy climbed into the rickety old truck with Craig.
    The drive to the track took only a few minutes. When they pulled into the parking lot, Craig groaned. “Uh-oh, trouble. Steve’s not going to be too happy about this.” He climbed out of the truck and slammed the door. Nancy got out on her side and came around the back of the truck.
    Not far away Amanda and Lindsay were busily unloading a team of dogs from a utility van. Though Lindsay was dressed in a practical navy blue parka with heavy down stuffing, Amanda wore ski pants and a hooded jacket made of beaver fur. They soon spotted the new arrivals.
    â€œOh, look, it’s the great Steven Wilcox,” Amanda said loudly as Steve got out of his van and went over to help Craig. She straightened, calling after him, “It won’t do you any good to practice, you know. You don’t have a chance of winning the Derby.”
    Steve kept his head bent over the dogs’ harnesses and remained silent.
    â€œAnyone who treats dogs the way you do deserves to lose,” Amanda taunted him.
    This time Steve raised his head. Nancy saw his lips thin in anger. Amanda’s words had hit their mark.
    He still didn’t respond, though. He turned to George. “Want a ride on the sled?” he offered. Nancy wondered if that was his way of goading Amanda. She hoped Steve wasn’t just using George to make his former girlfriend jealous.
    George agreed, casting a sidelong glance at Nancy, then helped Craig and Steve unload the sled. With their team harnessed, Lindsay and Amanda moved to the other side of the track.
    â€œYou two don’t need to hang around—Georgeand I can bring the dogs back,” Steve said, pointedly dismissing Craig and Nancy. He reached into his pocket and handed Craig his key ring. “Why don’t you take the van?”
    â€œSure thing,” Craig said quickly. Nancy was taken aback—she had thought they’d stay to watch Steve practice. She said nothing, though, as she and Craig walked back to the van. Craig unlocked the door and let Nancy in first.
    â€œThis is luxury!” Craig said, climbing in the other side. He switched on the engine. “I wish I could afford one.”
    Nancy settled back in her plush seat. “Your truck is more practical,” she pointed out.
    â€œThat’s true.” Then Craig changed the subject. “It sure looks like Steve’s interested in George.”
    â€œI think it’s mutual,” Nancy told him.
    â€œI thought they wanted some time together, so I didn’t say anything when Steve got rid of us,” he said. “I hope you weren’t offended. Steve doesn’t mean any harm, but he can be tactless sometimes.”
    â€œYou’re a good friend to him,” Nancy said. She paused for a second. “Craig, what did Amanda mean when she said Steve mistreated the dogs?”
    Craig’s voice was harsh. “She spends too much time with Lindsay Dunning, and Lindsay’s a fanatic about her dogs. She reallycoddles those animals. She won’t have whips anywhere near them, and she even sings to them when she’s out on the trail.” Craig steered the van onto the main road. “It drives me crazy listening to Lindsay singing ‘This Land Is Your Land’ at the top of her lungs at every