Page 31 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
Arlo would have to explain later that Liosa had been there to see him sad over Toby’s disappearance after their misunderstanding. He wouldn’t be surprised to find out Liosa was the sort to hold a grudge. Even now her nose tilted high in the air, chin thrust forward.
Unsettled by the way Liosa eyed Toby, Arlo changed the subject. “What do water nymphs do for the holidays anyway?”
Liosa casually swiped a clump of green hair off her shoulder. “Oh, the usual. Carve up a few sea horses and string their skeletons together to garnish the main course—usually a combination of baby otter and aged dolphin.”
Arlo was getting better at masking his horror with each of Liosa’s visits. “Mm…crunchy.”
Her grin revealed a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth. “Exactly!”
Ellis took a step back to hide behind Toby. Clever lad.
“I must be going.” Her eyes glinted like light striking a blade’s edge as she stared daggers at Toby. “Be good to Arlo, or I’ll use the tiny bones in your ears to pick baby otter out of my teeth!” With one last fearsome smile—if one could even call that particular facial expression a smile—she quipped, “Ta ta!” and leapt into the river, tail splashing a wave ashore in her wake.
Arlo shrugged. “Sorry about her. A bit aggressive until you get to know her…and then truly horrifying.”
“Charming.” Toby grimaced.
“I think she’s neat,” said Ellis, an expression of wonder etched on his boyish features. “Do you think she’d want a snail’s shell too next time? I have a collection.”
Arlo thought she probably would. “You could try it.”
“I will.” Ellis shoved his hands into his pockets. “Well, I best be off. You two have fun.”
“Thanks, Ellis.” Toby waved good-bye. “Tell everyone we said hello.”
“Will do.” Ellis trotted up the riverbank and over the bridge, leaving Arlo alone with Toby.
Arlo draped his big arm over Toby’s slight shoulders and drew him close. “Sorry about that. Guess she likes me more than I thought. It’s hard to tell with Liosa.”
Toby wrapped his arms around Arlo’s middle and squeezed. “That’s all right. It’s not like she’s asked too much of me. I plan to be kind to you from now until forever anyway, so with any luck, I’ll get to keep all my ear bones.”
Arlo dropped a kiss to his ear for good measure. “Let’s hope so.”
CHAPTER11
Christmas Eve Day
Toby
Waking in Arlo’s bed,head on his broad chest, Toby wiped a little trail of drool from his chin.
“Sleep well?” Arlo stroked Toby’s back.
“I did.” Toby stretched and settled in even closer to the furnace of Arlo’s body. “You?”
“Mm-hmm.” Arlo snuggled him tight, one big arm around Toby’s middle.
Toby let out a long yawn. “We have so much to do today.”
“We do?”
“Yes. We need to go to the village. I always help Surry with the baking. I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind looking after the children while we get the cookies started. Then Arthur will insist on leading the others on how to frost them. Also, Gran wants to see you about something.”And I have a surprise for you I’m nervous about. “We’ll get to watch the kids open presents after dinner, and by then, I’m sure we’ll all be exhausted.”
With any luck, after all that, they’d stay in Toby’s cottage for the night, but if his gift failed to charm Arlo sufficiently, he supposed they’d be making a midnight trek all the way back to Red Elk River Bridge.
Arlo’s chest rose and fell in even breaths. “That doesn’t sound like so much.”
“It doesn’t?”
