Page 6 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
Did he? Toby gave that some thought. He had an uncle who could make a coin appear from your ear, but Toby had never figured out how he did it. An idea came to him. “I can walk on my hands. Will that do?”
Arlo hummed, tilting his head in consideration. “I don’t think I believe you. No one can walk on their hands. That’s what feet are for.”
“I can, though. If I show you, will you let me pass without being angry?”
Arlo stuck out his hand. “Deal. But if you’re lying, I won’t make you tea anymore.”
Toby shook it. “All right, and I wouldn’t lie to you.” He climbed to his feet. “My favorite tea is chamomile.”
Arlo rose, collected their cups, and stood back as Toby stretched. Arms overhead, he leaned to one side, then the other. Arlo tracked him with a curious gaze, and Toby found he liked the attention. He bent over to stretch his legs, trusting Arlo to watch that as well.
“From one end to the other, and then I best be on my way. Ready?” Their eyes met. Toby winked.
“Be careful,” said Arlo.
Toby began on his side of the bridge, kicking into a handstand with practiced ease. He’d always been good at flips and spins. Walking on his hands had been tricky to learn, but he’d been desperate to be the best at something after so much failure.
Toby placed one hand in front of the other, keeping his weight forward to cover more ground. By the time he’d made it halfway across, he wished for a glimpse of Arlo’s face. Instead, he concentrated on the planks beneath his fingers, keeping his momentum until he reached the far side. Back on his feet, he beamed at Arlo.
Arlo tucked the cups against his hulking body and clapped. He looked genuinely delighted, if a little awkward. “That was even better than a tribute!”
“Really?” Toby’s hat had fallen off, and his scarf had come loose, but he was thrilled to have pleased the handsome troll.
“Absolutely. I’ve never seen anything like that. You were fabulous.” Arlo swiped the cap from the ground and offered it to Toby.
“Thank you.” Toby took the blue knit cap and put it on his head.
Arlo stepped in closer. He lifted the fallen end of Toby’s scarf and carefully wound it around his neck. Toby took the opportunity to admire the freckles scattered over Arlo’s nose and cheeks.
They stood so close the wispy puffs of their breaths mingled in the crisp morning air.
“Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold,” said Arlo, his voice low and husky.
“Right,” Toby murmured. He stood on tiptoes and leaned in just as Arlo stepped back. Catching himself before Arlo noticed the blunder, he made a show of tucking the scarf into his coat. He’d wanted to kiss Arlo, but the troll, oblivious to his desire, was fiddling with their cups. Probably he wasn’t interested, which was a pity, but nothing Toby wasn’t already used to.
“Well, then, you may pass,” Arlo said. “Shall I expect you again this evening?”
“I’m going to stay the night with my sister’s family, but I will see you tomorrow. I won’t forget your tribute.”
“That’s more like it.” Arlo gave a growl Toby found anything but intimidating.
* * *
Arlo
Having spentthe better part of yesterday and today attempting to walk on his hands, Arlo was about to give up when the worst happened. He kicked a little too hard, lost his balance, and crashed sideways. His ankle turned painfully, and he sputtered a yelp.
On the ground, clutching his sore limb between both hands, Arlo curled in on himself. He wiggled his toes. He didn’t think his ankle was broken, but walking might prove difficult. He stayed where he’d landed and wallowed in misery, which was an ordinary thing for a troll to do. So what if he took comfort in that? He crawled back to his bridge, pouting.
The sun began to set, and Arlo’s mood darkened along with the sky. When Tobias rounded the corner and noticed him sitting there, the wolf shifter picked up speed.
“Arlo!” Tobias called in the early evening breeze.
His voice ringing like silver bells made Arlo feel better. “Over here,” he answered. Needless, of course. Tobias was almost there already.
“What’s the matter?” Tobias crouched next to him. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Arlo lied with a grimace. His ankle throbbed with every beat of his heart.
