Free Across a Thousand Miles by Nadia Nichols

turned and looked at Ellin. “I wish I could tell him about this. He’d be so excited at the idea of his dogs running the Quest again.”
    â€œI’m sure he would,” Ellin said quietly.
    Rebecca returned to the table and sat down again with a happy sigh. “I can’t wait!” She took a sip of tea. “I wonder if Mac’s still planning on winning the Percy DeWolf.”
    â€œHe’s been training,” Ellin said vaguely.
    â€œYes, I know. I met him on the river yesterday. He was dragging along quite nicely behind his sled.”
    â€œDragging?”
    â€œYes. On his face. Oh, Ellin, you should have seen it.” Rebecca couldn’t stop the laugh that burst from her.“His dogs came tearing over that steep bank by the Mazey Creek trail, and they were flying! Next comes his sled and it’s airborne. I mean to say, it shoots out over the top of the riverbank at about twenty-five miles an hour, straight into the air, with Mac standing on the runners holding on for dear life!”
    â€œAnd then what happened?” Ellin said.
    â€œHe crashed!” Rebecca said. “It was the most spectacular crash I’ve ever seen! I don’t know what held that sled of his together or what kept him attached to it. But I’ll say this much for him, he didn’t let go. Slamming over that pack ice must have been brutal on his poor beat-up body, but he didn’t let go of that sled.”
    â€œI wondered why he was limping around this morning,” Ellin mused.
    â€œLimping! I’m surprised he can even walk.” Rebecca wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know it’s not the least bit funny, but I can’t help it.”
    â€œBut, my dear, what did you do?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI mean, didn’t you try to help him?”
    â€œI didn’t have to. He got the sled stopped using his snow hook and managed to climb back onto the runners. I said hello when we passed.” Rebecca grinned and took a deep breath. “I think he was in a state of shock. He never said a word.”
    Ellin regarded her for a silent moment and then shook her head. “Rebecca Reed, I do believe you have a cruel streak in you.”
    â€œI guess I must have,” Rebecca confessed. “I haven’t had such a good laugh in a long, long time. He’s all right, isn’t he?”
    â€œIf he were dying, he wouldn’t say so.”
    â€œMaybe we should call Sadie to come have a look at him.”
    Ellin frowned. “There’s little need of that. Sadie’s been looking him over every day this week. She’s after him, mark my words. She shows up every afternoon around feeding time, because she knows he’ll be taking care of his dogs.”
    â€œHe’s in good hands, then. I won’t worry about him.”
    â€œI should think you should. My dear girl, it’s not Sadie he’s interested in.”
    â€œEllin!” Rebecca warned.
    â€œHe’s a good man, Rebecca,” Ellin said staunchly.
    â€œWell, I don’t know about that,” Rebecca said, standing up and stretching stiff muscles. “But if he keeps on the way he’s going, he might make a good musher someday. He didn’t let go of his sled.”
    â€œI certainly hope you’re right,” Ellin said, looking directly at her. “Because there’s something you should know. Sam has fronted him the money to enter the Yukon Quest this year. Rebecca, Mac will be sharing the race trail with you all the way from Whitehorse to Fairbanks.”
    Rebecca froze in midstretch. “You’re kidding, right? Oh, Ellin, please tell me you’re kidding!”
    Ellin shook her head. “I wish I could, because I don’t believe he’s got the experience to run a thousand-mile race. But he believes he can. He also thinks he can finish in the money and win enough to pay you what he owes