Page 35 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
Beside him, Arlo stopped in his tracks, frozen stiff.
Toby’s heart sank. “You don’t like it,” he mumbled.
Arlo’s silence only seemed to confirm the assertion. Toby risked a glance at his face. Tears were welling in Arlo’s pretty blue eyes, but he didn’t look disappointed exactly. Toby waited an age for Arlo to put his thoughts into words.
“You…built me a bridge?”
“I did. Timothy helped. We built the swing as well. Do you see it?”
Arlo’s gaze flitted from the bridge to the chair hanging from the massive sycamore. “You built me a bridge and a swing?”
Now or never. “I thought, maybe, if you had your own bridge to guard here in the village, it might be all right if we stayed at my cottage. You know, sometimes, not all the time. I love your den too, but I miss my house, and, well, I thought you might be willing, but of course if you don’t want to, I’ll—”
“Yes!” said Arlo with fervor. “Oh, yes, of course we can stay at your house if you like. I’m sorry. I should’ve offered that long ago.” Arlo grasped Toby’s shoulders and brought their faces close together. “I love my bridge, but not more than I love you.”
Overcome with joy and relief, Toby stood on his toes to give Arlo a kiss. He wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. “I love you too. I’m so glad you like your gift.”
“It’s wonderful.” Arlo wrapped fingers behind Toby’s neck and pulled him in for another kiss. “Come, let me take a closer look.”
“You’ve done a marvelous job.” Arlo ran his hand tenderly over the finely sanded rail. “It’s sturdy and beautiful and still smells like freshly cut wood.”
Heat crept along Toby’s cheeks. “I do enjoy that smell.”
“Me too.” Arlo took another whiff. “It will be my honor to guard this fine bridge, Toby. Thank you very much.”
“And you must thank Timothy too. I couldn’t have done it without him.”
“Perhaps I will thank him with fewer kisses.”
Toby sputtered a laugh. “With no kisses at all!”
“If you say so. Absolutely no kisses, then.” Arlo shrugged playfully. “They’re all for you anyway.”
Toby launched himself at the troll. “Then give me more of them.”
Arlo caught him and kissed him again. “Don’t be greedy. We have all night.”
“All night here at my cottage for a change. I’m so happy.”
“Let’s go in. I have something for you as well.”
Toby led them to his front door and threw it open, letting Arlo inside first. “Is it in that mysterious bag of yours?”
Arlo arched his brows. “How did you ever guess?”
“I knew it. What is it? Let me see.” In his eagerness, Toby overlooked his manners. He didn’t offer Arlo tea or a place to sit down. Curiosity had gotten the better of him. Luckily, Arlo didn’t seem to mind.
Though larger than Arlo’s den, Toby’s one-room home was pleasantly crowded, with both of them hovering at the entryway. Inside, a worn couch sat under the front window with two brown leather chairs opposite. A small kitchen dominated the other half of the room, with a rickety table at the center. A sturdy ladder led to the loft that held Toby’s bed, which was bigger than Arlo’s and fluffier too. He couldn’t wait to get Arlo into it. But first, he was dying to know whatever was in that bag.
Arlo lumbered over to the couch and plopped down, dragging the rucksack into his lap. “I’m afraid none of it will make sense without an explanation. And if you don’t like my idea, just say so. I promise I’ll understand.”
Toby sat next to him without the faintest idea of what could possibly be contained in the big, brown sack. “I’m sure I’ll love it, whatever it is. Now, will you show me?”
Arlo blew a long puff of air through his lips and unlatched the flap holding the bag closed. He pulled out a large, thick woolen blanket and handed it over.
Toby took the scratchy, gray blanket into his lap with a smile. “What in the world would make you think I wouldn’t like this? I’m sure it will keep us toasty warm,” Toby assured him. “We can find out tonight.” He winked.
Arlo shook his head. “It’s not really for you. It’s for me. I’ll explain, but first, there’s more.”
