Chapter 33
Sitting in the bathroom with Keel during the storm had given her time to think. She felt things for him and wanted more with him. Could she trust him? She thought so.
After the storm pushed past, he pulled her up and led her out of the bathroom. He glanced around, taking in the space, and she did, too.
“It doesn’t seem like you suffered any damage.”
“I don’t think we did. I’m going to put on my shoes and see if any neighbors need help.”
She put her hand on his arm. “I want to go with you.”
“Sure.”
She grabbed a sweatshirt from his coat closet and pulled it on, rolling up the arms so they weren’t covering her hands. Once outside, she saw that a bunch of smaller limbs dotted the yards and the street. Ansley and Garnet were outside with Bean and Link picking up limbs.
“Hey, you two,” Link called out.
Keel waved. “I’m going to get a rake and some gloves.”
“Do you have gloves small enough for me?” Frankie asked.
“I have an extra pair,” Ansley called out. “They should fit you. They might be a little dirty, but it’s better than just using your hands.”
“Thank you.” Frankie wandered out into the street, stepping over a few of the larger limbs. “That was bad.”
“Yeah. Not the worst,” Ansley said as she gave her a hug and handed her a pair of gloves.
“I’m afraid of tornadoes.”
Garnet shivered. “They can be scary. I don’t like them.”
The door to Sonja’s house opened, and she stepped outside. “Hello, Frankie. That storm. Whew, it was awful.”
She waved. “Hi, Sonja, are you okay?”
“Yes, my back yard is a mess, though. It’s going to take hours to clean up.”
Keel waved to Sonja, then motioned to the guys. “Let’s go clean up her yard.”
The three men approached Sonja’s porch, and Frankie went, too, followed by Garnet and Ansley. They all introduced themselves, and Sonja seemed pleased by the attention.
“Is your gate unlocked?” Keel asked.
“Why yes, it is.”
“We’ll clean up the limbs,” Link said.
Sonja shook her head. “You don’t have to. I can take care of it.”
“Please let us,” Bean said.
Sonja finally nodded. “Okay. Thank you. I’m baking some bread. I’ll fix you a loaf you can share.”
“Thank you. That would be great,” Bean said.
All six of them headed around the corner of her house, raking together limbs and leaves along the way. It only took them about twenty minutes with all six of them working on cleaning up her yard. Sonja was shocked when she came outside.
“Wow, I’m impressed, that took you no time at all.”
“We’re glad to help,” Link said.
“I’m going to leave you with my number,” Garnet said. “If you need anything, call. With Frankie across the street and me and Ansley close by, one of us will be able to help you.”
Sonja’s smile warmed Frankie. She was happy they could make her feel good.
This was the type of life she’d wanted, what she’d remembered from when her parents had been alive.
They’d created a community in their neighborhood.
She’d appreciated it when she’d been younger, but when she was a teen, she’d grown distant.
Maybe it was the curse of being a teenager, or maybe she’d just been a bad person.
She watched as Keel and the rest of the guys helped other neighbors, seeing the way they helped people clean up and get their neighborhood looking nice made her feel good. This man wasn’t Forest. He was nothing like the jerk at all. None of them were, but Keel really wasn’t. She could trust him.
After a couple of hours picking up limbs and leaves, they headed back to their houses. Sonja stopped them as they walked past, and Keel went up to the porch to retrieve the loaf of bread.
“Thank you. And anything else you need, just ask.”
“Thank you, young man. Thank you all,” Sonja called out before heading back inside. Frankie spied Mr. Wiggles watching from the window, his stare intense.
She pointed to the window when Keel joined her. “Her cat, Mr. Wiggles, is probably wondering why she was being so nice to you.”
Keel chuckled. “That cat wandered into my house when I moved in. I had to chase him out.”
“Really?” Frankie asked.
“Yes. I think he thought he was going to stay, but I made him leave.”
“So maybe he wasn’t mad about her talking to you. Maybe he was mad because he thought you were going to be his new pet, and is angry you didn’t accept him into your tribe.”
Keel slung his arm over her shoulder and threw back his head, laughter spilling out. “If I’m anyone’s new pet, it’s yours.”
She couldn’t help but laugh with him. The weird feeling she had after sex was gone. But she’d had it and needed to say something to him about it.
For now, she would remain silent since they were all going to share the bread and hang out.
Later, once they were alone, she would say something about her weird feelings.
She didn’t want anything bad between them, and she knew he’d noticed she’d felt off after sex.
The storm had given her time to think, to realize that Keel wasn’t like Forest, and she had a lot of healing to do.
She just hoped Keel would put up with her.