Broken Trails by D Jordan Redhawk

Six sets of canine eyes looked back at her, and she smiled.
    “Who’s the lead dog?” Scotch asked, climbing aboard her ATV.
    “I am.” Lainey felt anticipation skitter down her spine as she walked down the line to her vehicle.
    Scotch’s team tried to pull as soon as she started the engine though the brakes were still on. “These guys are used to a more knowledgeable driver. They’ll mind their P’s and Q’s for a day or two. Expect some acting out after that.”
    Lainey clambered onto her four-wheel vehicle. “Yes, ma'am,” she called over the sounds of engines and anxious barking, sending an impish grin to her mentor. Directly in front of her, Jonah redoubled his efforts to no avail, almost standing in his harness as he tried to get them moving.
    Shaking her head, Scotch returned the smile. “Follow me, don’t let your dogs get too close to us. Remember your commands.”
    “Are we talking, or are we driving?”
    Scotch’s expression changed to amused warning at the challenge. Rather than speak, she called out, “Ready!” Her team tightened any slack on the mainline in anticipation. “Let’s go!” She released the brake, and jerked forward as the dogs did what they loved to do.
    Lainey watched them go, her team barking in demand to go after them. Sudden anxiety hit her, and she swallowed. What if she could not control them?
    Sholo and Trace stared over their shoulders at her. Brown and blue eyes begged the question. She could almost hear their thoughts: Why did you suit us up for the big game if we’re stuck sitting on the bench? Let’s go!
    “Ready!” she called, her voice holding more confidence than she felt. Her leaders swung their heads around in preparation. She popped the brake. “Let’s go!”
    Her head snapped back as the team surged forward and she clutched at the handles to retain her seat. The dogs happily barked and frolicked on their run, kicking up their feet, tails wagging madly as they towed her along. Thoughts of acquiring a neck brace in the future flew away along the wind that caressed her face.
    The team followed Scotch’s out of the dog yard and along a wide path. Trees whipped by, and Lainey was amazed to see the speedometer hit eleven miles per hour. She grinned in delight, focusing on the journey. Up ahead, Scotch’s team turned right, leaving the main trail. Lainey glanced quickly at her right hand where a large “·¢G” was written in blue ink. On her left hand was an “·¢H” to remind her of the word “·¢haw.” When Sholo and Trace arrived at the turn, she hollered, “Gee!”
    Her smile widened as the leaders made an easy turn onto the new trail. The rest of the team followed smoothly, and she steered the ATV after them. With a sled in snow, steering was impossible except by dog power. Here, however, it was necessary; the dogs were not strong enough to pull against thick rubber tires pointing the wrong direction.
    Heeding Scotch’s warning, Lainey made sure the vehicles remained apart by about two car lengths for the entire trip. The smaller path was rougher than the previous one, and Lainey realized she might have saddle sores before the summer was out. Needing little encouragement from her, the dogs joyfully chased after Scotch. The air was thick with the smell of pine, and the sun flickered from between the trees to splash across Lainey’s face.
    After a very short time, Scotch raised her hand to signal a stop. Lainey frowned, the mood of her dogs contagious. It was too early; they had hardly gotten started. Despite her disaffection, she called out, “Whoa!” With steady pressure, she applied the brake, bringing her team to a halt behind Scotch’s. The woman had parked the ATV. She now stood beside it and rummaged in her backpack for treats.
    Lainey parked, as well. “Is that it?” she asked, climbing down, disappointment in her voice.
    Scotch looked up at her, pleased surprise on her face. “Not enough for you?”
    Refusing to be drawn in,