by Lee Colgin
Toby elbowed him in the ribs and put on a smile. “Hello, miss.”
Arlo stepped in to make the introductions, but Liosa beat him to it.
“You must be Toby.” A slight sneer appeared on her face. “Hello to you, you teasing trollop.” Her gaze flit to Ellis, and her brows rose. The sneer faded away. “And who are you, dear? My, but you’re darling.”
Arlo took a step closer to Ellis, just in case. He could never tell if Liosa wanted to make friends or catch dinner.
“I’m Ellis, miss. Pleased to meet you.” He bowed low, a move that clearly pleased the water nymph.
“And you may call me Liosa,” she said to Ellis. Then to Toby, “You must stick to ‘miss’ until I change my mind about you. If I change my mind about you.”
Toby’s smile wavered, but he managed a nod. “Um, yes, miss.”
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 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 when Liosa did it—she quipped, “Ta ta!” and leapt into the river, tail splashing a wave ashore in her wake.
Arlo could only shrug. “Sorry about her. A bit aggressive until you get to know her…and then truly horrifying.”
“Charming,” said Toby with a grimace.
“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’ve 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 goodbye. “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 my ear bones.”
Arlo dropped a kiss to his ear for good measure. “Let’s hope so.”
Chapter Eleven
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?” asked Arlo, his heavy hand stroking 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 I’m sure 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 that 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 Elk River Bridge.
Arlo’s chest rose and fell in even breaths. “That doesn’t sound like so much.”
“It doesn’t?”
Arlo shook his head. “No. Those are all things to look forward to.”
“Well, yes, just rather busy I’d thought.”
“Not if we take it one task at a time.”
Toby kissed the closest thing he could reach, which happened to be Arlo’s lovely, grey collar bone. “Sometimes you’re very sensible.”
Arlo patted him on the rump. “Up you get. Put the kettle on, will you?”
Burrowing farther under the covers, Toby draped his thigh over Arlo’s. “Are you positively sure you want to get out of bed already?”
Arlo never needed much convincing. With a mighty tug, he pulled Toby on top of him. “Now that you mention it, I’m positively sure I don’t.”
*
When they arrived at the wolves’ village, it was already afternoon. The sun hid behind clouds, and a light snow had begun to fall. The snowflakes had gotten bigger and puffier as the day wore on. A dozen or so kids swarmed Arlo upon his arrival with pleas to play outside, so Toby resigned himself not to see the troll again until the cookies were out of the oven.
“Have fun.” Toby waved goodbye to Arlo and the giddy pack of children surrounding him.
Arlo wiggled his fingers to wave back, but he couldn’t lift his arms because each already had a child clinging to it.
Laughing, Toby made his way into the kitchen to find Surry buzzing with the same happy, radiant energy the children displayed.
“You look well, sister.”
“Thank you, I feel it.” She patted her tummy. “Even this little one seems to know it’s a holiday. She’s been bouncing around in there all day. Feel.” Surry grabbed his hand and placed it on her swollen stomach.
“She?” asked Toby, feeling her warmth through his palm but not much else.
“That’s what I think, anyway. You’re brother thinks she’s a boy, but I’m certain he’s wrong. What do you think we should call her?”
“Anything but Liosa,” said Toby, hiding a grin. “I don’t feel anything.”
“Be patient. Who’s Liosa?”
“You don’t want to know.”
The baby moved, or she kicked rather, because a pokey bit jumped against his palm.
“Whoa!”
“I told you!” Surry grinned.
“She’s strong.”
“And playful. So are you going to help me with these cookies, or what?”
“Why don’t you sit and tell me what to do?”
“Sounds good to me.” Surry pulled up a kitchen chair and propped her feet on the counter. “Fetch the eggs and milk, everything else is already out.”
Toby went to do as bid. A glance out the window revealed Arlo being scaled like a ladder, and a massive snowman in the works under Arthur’s direction. Eggs and milk in hand, he grabbed the mixing bowl and settled in for a busy afternoon in the kitchen.
*
Arlo
Once the children had abandoned him to devour their weight in sugar cookies, Arlo sought out Gran. Curiosity bloomed, mixed with the hope she would have something positive to say, and fear that somehow Arlo had managed to do something wrong already. Though he wracked his mind, he could think of no slight, so he told himself to calm down.
The petite matriarch sat in her rocking chair, yarn and knitting needles in her lap, but her hands were occupied instead with braiding a young girl’s hair who sat at her feet. The child was Ivy, a cousin of
Toby’s. Arlo harbored a particular affection for her because she’d collected a marvelous array of seeds and had taken the time to explain what each would turn into if planted. The clever speech from such a young lass had piqued Arlo’s interest in gardening. He would especially love to see the sunflowers grow tall as Arlo himself as she had promised.
“Hello dear,” said Gran. “I’ll only be a moment. Less if Ivy here could manage to sit still.”
“Sorry, Gran,” said Ivy as she squirmed, pent up energy jittering her tiny frame. “But the others are eating up all the cookies. May I go now?”
With an amused sigh, Gran fastened the braid at the end and patted the girl’s shoulder. “All right, skedaddle. Though the last thing you need is more sugar.”
Ivy skipped off in a hurry, with rosy cheeks and a gleeful smile on her face.
Arlo stepped forward. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, come, help an old woman to her feet.” Gran stretched a lace-clad arm forward.
Arlo carefully pulled her up. She took his elbow and gestured to the hall. “To the stairs, lad. I have something to show you.”
Intrigued, Arlo guided them down the hall and up a flight of stairs. This was the only house he’d ever been in with two floors, which he found fascinating. All the family rooms were below, and the sleeping rooms above. So many rooms, each of them bigger than Arlo’s den.
Dropping her grasp on his arm, Gran indicated the first open door. Arlo stepped inside to find a cheerful bedroom with warm brown, wooden walls and two big windows. One with a view of the cottage next door, and the other of the snow steadily falling on the front yard, Arthur’s snowman standing proud and tall. A bed with puffy, white covers was pushed against the wall, the wooden table beside it covered in books. Another rocking chair occupied the corner, holding a different knitting project.
Gran went to the dresser and slid a blue marbled box forward, opening the lid. “Come, Arlo.”
He watched as she sorted through the contents; nick-knacks, pencils, bits of paper jewelry, ribbons, etc. She pulled out a silver band and admired it, turning it round in her fingers. Then her gaze shifted to Arlo, warmth in her wise, green eyes.
“This belonged to my mate, Toby’s grandfather,” she began. “It was his father’s before that, and has been in our family for generations. Normally the ring would pass to one of my sons, perhaps even to Toby someday. But…” A smile lit her face. “I want you to have it.”
Arlo’s breath froze in his chest. His throat constricted. The sudden onslaught of emotion threatened to overcome him, and he had to struggle to speak. “Oh my stars. Oh moonbugs! Oh, Gran, I couldn’t. It’s too much.”
“Fiddle-faddle. I want you to have it, and have it you shall.” Gran took Arlo’s hand and dropped the ring into his palm. “The men of this family know their worth and their place in this pack. They’ve been nurtured. They’ve given and taken, and they don’t need a symbol to know they belong. But I think you do.”
Arlo stared at the ring. The silver had dulled with wear and time, but the effect in no way diminished its beauty. Large enough it would likely fit him, the ring had a wide band pressed flat and decorated with intricate carvings of racing wolves the whole way around. Gorgeous animals, windswept from speed, but frozen in their chase.
“Go ahead,” Gran said gently. “Try it on. I can tell you want to.”
“Are you absolutely certain? Once I have the ring on, I may never be able to give it back.”
Her laughter filled the room. “Yes, dear. I’m certain.”
“And the others?” Arlo had to be sure. “Your sons, your grandsons, Toby? They won’t mind?”
“Of course not. They will understand. Besides, the ring is mine to give to whomever I please, and I rather like the idea of it being yours. Toby is far too small for it to fit him anyway. His grandad was a good bit larger than the others. Like you.”
A tingle of joy sprang up his spine at her words. “I wish I could have met your mate.”
“As do I. He’d have liked you, Arlo. And he would have been happy to know Toby has found his match.”
At this rate, Arlo would have to scoop his heart back together with a spoon as it had melted into a puddle. He held the ring carefully between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand and slid it onto the ring finger of his left. It fit perfectly.
“There,” said Gran. “An official member of Fern Pack if there ever was one. Good lad.”
Part of a real family—a big, loving family with aunts, uncles, brother, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, Gran, and Toby—everything he’d ever wanted. The tingle of joy exploded and burst forth in a grin so wide his cheeks hurt.
“Thank you,” said Arlo, the full extent of his emotion suffused in the words.
Gran reached up and patted his cheek.
Arlo knew they must be bright purple.
“You’re welcome, dear. Let’s go downstairs so you can show Toby. He will be thrilled for you.”
Suddenly Arlo couldn’t wait to share his news, but he wanted Toby to himself, so he could tell his mate before the others found out. “I think I’ll put the ring in my pocket until I have a chance to be alone with him.”
“Good idea. You make him very happy, you know.”
“I hope so. He certainly makes me very happy.”
“That’s how it should be.”
They left the bedroom. Arlo helped Gran back down the stairs.
At the bottom, she dismissed him. “Toby will be in the kitchen. Off you go.”
Arlo grinned and did as he was told.
Chapter Twelve
CHRISTMAS EVE
Toby
The snow had stopped falling, leaving Red Elk Village covered in a glittering blanket of white. Toby and Arlo left the big house to be alone together in the quiet twilight of dusk. Arlo carried the giant rucksack he’d been tight-lipped over when Toby had asked about it.
As they followed the little creek toward his cottage, Toby’s stomach tied itself in knots worrying Arlo may not like his gift. But he’d know soon enough because they were almost there.
“I can’t wait any longer.” Arlo reached into his pocket. “I have to show you what Gran gave me today.”
Toby grinned at the overly merry expression on the troll’s face. Arlo’s happiness was contagious in spite of Toby’s fretting. “What did she give you?”
Arlo hid the gift from view as he fiddled it between his fingers, then Toby got the first glimpse. A silver ring. Arlo extended his hand. Not any silver ring, Toby’s grandpa’s ring with the running wolves carved into the sides. His grin broadened. That Gran, what a clever woman. What a perfect gift for a troll who longed to be part of a family. At least if Arlo didn’t like the new, tiny bridge Toby had built, he would still be thrilled about the ring.
Toby lifted his gaze from the jewelry to Arlo’s eyes to find a vulnerable expression there. “The family ring suits you very well, Arlo.”
Arlo exhaled, his shoulders relaxing with the movement. “You don’t mind?”
“Oh goodness no, I think it’s a grand idea. I like seeing our pack’s ring on your finger. You were one of us without it, of course, but you look quite official now.”
Arlo beamed. “I could have cried when she gave it to me. I’m glad I didn’t embarrass myself.”
Toby held Arlo’s hand in both of his own. “Crying is not shameful. You can always cry if you need to.”
“Maybe next time I will.”
The creek gurgled beside them, its water not yet frozen. By the new year, ice would form in all its crackled glory. Arlo’s hand warmed Toby’s as they walked, side by side, along the little path to his home.
“I have a gift for you as well,” said Toby, his voice shaky with nerves.
“And I’ve one for you, though I’m afraid you might not like it,” Arlo rumbled in his low baritone. His voice, along with the sentiment, eased Toby’s mind.
“Funny, I feel the same way.” A grin broke through as Toby me
t Arlo’s gaze. “Mine first, please, as I’ve no choice but to show you right away or turn back.”
Arlo squeezed his hand. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Toby took a deep breath. “Look up ahead, then. Just over the creek and right in front of my house.”
When Arlo had been to Toby’s cottage before, he’d rolled his eyes at crossing the fallen log instead of a proper bridge. Would he like the new addition enough to leave his own bridge overnight for the first time? Toby was full of hope at the possibility.
Beside him, Arlo stopped in his tracks.
Toby’s heart began to sink. “You don’t like it,” he mumbled.
Arlo’s silence only seemed to confirm the assertion, but then Toby risked a glance to his face. Tears were welling in his pretty blue eyes, but Arlo 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 flit 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!” declared Arlo with fervor. “Oh, yes, of course we can stay in your house if you like. I’m sorry. I should have 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.”
Toby watched as Arlo inspected the little bridge, both of them grinning.
“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.”