Page 14 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
August
Arlo
The days werelong and hot, and Arlo spent most of his time under the shade of a hornbeam tree with his feet in the river to cool down. His bridge towered over the rushing waters. Arlo considered its magnificence with a mixture of pride and annoyance.
He loved the Red Elk River Bridge as well as his cozy den below. The soothing sound of the current lulled him to sleep each night and greeted him first thing each morning. But he longed for more than his duty as a troll. His curiosity had grown from a tiny pebble to a bouncing boulder tumbling in his gut. A desire stirred to branch out. Would he ever see for himself what lay around the bend in the trail?
“Arlo!”
Toby’s cheerful call tugged him from his reverie and put a spring in his step as he bounded up the riverbank to greet his favorite friend.
“Arlo, I have good news!” Toby skittered to a halt on the grassy meadow, narrowly avoiding crashing into him.
“Tell me.” Arlo chuckled as he looked Toby over. The wolf shifter had clearly run all the way here. His breaths came in panting huffs, sweat glistened on his forehead, and his face flushed rose-petal pink from exertion. The happy grin was contagious, and his green eyes sparkled with mirth.
“Oh dear, but I’ve been rude,” said Toby. “First, how are you? It is good to see you.”
“I’m well and glad to see you too, though you should really catch your breath. You look as if you outran a banshee to get here.”
Toby smoothed his long, dark hair in place, his bare arms flexing with the movement. Arlo longed to run his hands over the silky strands. Toby’s chest still rose and fell heavily, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“Sorry to report there were no banshees involved. I ran because I couldn’t wait to tell you. Two things, actually. Which do you want first? Your tribute or my good news?”
“Your good news, of course. You know you don’t need to give tribute. I’m happy just to have you visit.”
“Oh, but today I need to cross. You see, I must also bring the news to my sister and Fern Pack.”
“All right, then, out with it. I’m dying to know.”
“Timothy’s mate, Surry, has announced she’s pregnant again. A new baby will come next spring. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Caught up in Toby’s jovial mood and good news, Arlo swept the wolf shifter into his arms for a hug. He spun them in a circle, then set Toby back on his feet and released him.
Toby burst out in a fit of giggles, and he clung to Arlo’s shoulders. “I’m so happy for them. Timothy has always wanted his children to have lots of brothers and sisters like we did when we were little.”
“They’re lucky to have you as an uncle,” said Arlo.
“Someone must teach them proper handstands.” Toby squeezed Arlo’s shoulders and let them go. “I suppose it will be me.”
Arlo remembered his injured ankle. “Well, it definitely won’t be me.”
“No, dear Arlo, you should stay on your feet, I think.” Toby reached into his pocket and pulled out a gift wrapped in maple leaves and tied with straw. “I’m excited about this as well. My auntie has made it for you at my request. It’s taken her ages, so I hope you like it.”
Whatever the trinket was, Arlo knew he would love it, as he had loved everything Toby had brought him thus far. He took the delicate package with care into eager fingers and untied the straw. The leaves unfolded to reveal a statue of a wolf carved from wood. His jaw dropped as he stared at the marvelously detailed creation.
A brown wolf sat on his haunches, his shaggy fur rippling in the wind. Chin tall and proud, a majestic expression on the canine features, the wolf posed as if for a painting.
“It’s me,” said Toby quietly. “In my wolf form. I’d asked Auntie for a wolf, you see, any old wolf, but she’s carved me because she thought you might like it. Do you like it?”
“Of course I do.” Arlo closed his hand gently around his new treasure. Warmth blossomed in his chest.
“Oh, good. I’d thought you would, but I wasn’t sure.”
“I’ll build him his own shelf, as he doesn’t belong with my other tributes but deserves his own special place in my den.” Arlo couldn’t tear his eyes away from the tiny wooden wolf. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And I’ll pass along your thanks to Auntie. She’ll be delighted to know you like it.”
Overwhelmed and suddenly shy, Arlo glanced back at his bridge instead of focusing his gaze on Toby. He could look at Toby all day, and he would, just as soon as Toby left. He would admire the darling wolf carving all afternoon, in fact, but first he must get the real Toby to run along before he said something silly.
