Page 21 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
Toby wasn’t so sure, though he had to talk to someone. He’d been so lonely keeping his feelings to himself. “Do you remember Arlo?”
Surry arched one brow without moving the other, a trick Toby had always found amusing when she did it to Timothy but not so much when she aimed the expression at him.
“The troll you speak about as if he hung the moon?” she asked. “The same troll with blue eyes and black freckles who guards the bridge at Red Elk River but no longer asks you for a tribute. The one who makes you chamomile tea because it’s your favorite? That Arlo?”
Had he really been so obvious? Toby gave a little shrug. “The very same.”
She rolled her eyes. “And?”
“I’ve fallen for him.” A glance at Surry revealed she’d figured that out long ago. “But it’ll never work.” Toby explained what had happened on his last visit. Though embarrassed, he told her about the leaf pile, the kisses, and all the things Arlo had confessed to wishing for afterward. “You see? He wants a life I cannot give him, and I only want him to be happy. So I must stay away.”
Her expression softened. “And you haven’t seen him since?”
Toby stirred the batter, which didn’t need stirring anymore. “No.”
“But, Toby, it has been weeks.” Surry knocked him playfully over the head with her dishtowel. “Arlo won’t understand why you haven’t come for a visit. You’ll have hurt his feelings by now.”
Toby’s shoulders sank with guilt. “I know. I feel terrible, but I don’t know what to say.”
She put her hands on her hips and huffed. “Have you tried ‘I’m sorry’?”
Toby stared at her. Apologizing occurred to him regularly. He’d even tried to work out what he would say, but having come to no clear decision, he’d put it off.
“Do you want to stay friends?” Surry asked.
“Of course.” That much he knew for certain.
“Then you must go back and explain.” Surry gentled her voice. “If Arlo is as kind as you say he is, he will understand.”
“I know, but first I want to think of a decent tribute, make it, then figure out what I’m going to say and how to say it. Then maybe I can go see him.”
“You’re overcomplicating this.” Surry took Toby by the shoulders and turned him away from the mixing bowl to face her. “Plus, I suspect you may be wrong.”
“That’s the problem.” Toby met her steady golden-brown gaze. “I was wrong to kiss him.”
“No, I mean, you may be wrong about what he meant when you spoke afterward. You should ask him about that.”
Toby shook his head. “He made himself awfully clear. I was silly to think this thing between us could ever be more than friendship.”
“Aww, Toby.” Surry pulled him into a hug. Toby sank into her arms gratefully. “Don’t be sad. There’s someone out there for you, even if it isn’t Arlo. You’ll find your match when it’s time.”
“Thanks, Surry.” But Toby didn’t dare believe her.
CHAPTER8
November
Arlo
After passinga busy morning collecting tributes from a band of smelly hobgoblins, Arlo spent some time carefully airing out the tokens in the sunshine. He definitely didn’t want the rotting banana scent anywhere near his den. He arranged the bits and bobs in a neat line and wondered what to do next.
He’d just decided to gather some fresh pine needles for his floor when a familiar voice rang like silver bells on the breeze.
“Arlo?” Toby stood on the other side of the bridge, hands in his pockets.
A wave of excitement coursed through Arlo’s veins at seeing Toby again finally, but the joy faded away quickly. Things weren’t resolved between them. He forced a smile on his face for his friend. For that was what Toby was, and Arlo would do anything to make things right again.
“Toby,” Arlo breathed the name like a wish. “I’m glad you’re here.”
