Sharon’s Wolves(102)

Cooper gave them a smile. “Good job, team.” He followed his men out to their van and rode in the back, letting Chuck drive and Jason take the front passenger seat. He needed to pull himself together.

His men knew he’d been trapped on another side of the mountain helping rescue a woman. But they had no understanding of what that woman meant to him or why he’d been there in the first place. And Cooper was grateful they didn’t bombard him with questions.

“Jesus…” Cooper stared out the window, seeing the horizon as the sun came up. From their distance, it appeared the flow of lava had stopped. A small eruption from higher up the mountain than the initial release of fumes. Thank God it wasn’t larger. There was every indication the danger was almost over.

In the distance he saw nothing but black with steam rising off the lava as it cooled. The front edge was tinged red and burning everything in its path, but it had slowed considerably.

So much destruction. “Do we know if anyone was caught up on the mountain?”

Jason twisted around to face him. “A few people. Some campers that refused to heed the warning.”

Cooper nodded, a lump forming in his throat. You can lead a horse to water…

When they came to a stop, he jumped down from the car and pulled his binoculars out. They were still a mile from the edge, as close as they could safely get. He lifted the lenses to his eyes and scanned the area in awe of Mother Nature and Her capabilities. It was truly a wonder to behold.

»»•««

“Are you sure we’re safe?” Sharon asked as Cooper dragged her shirt over her head and tossed it haphazardly to the floor.

“As sure as I can be.”

The lava had stopped flowing entirely by mid-morning.

Cooper shrugged. “Volcanos are unpredictable, of course, but it’s not uncommon for something like this to happen. The Earth opened up, released the building pressure, and did what She needed to do. It could be years or decades or centuries before it happens again in this area.”

“Could it also be hours?” Jackson asked as he stepped up behind Cooper.

“It’s possible. But we’ll keep a close watch on the seismic activity. That should give us enough advanced warning to evacuate if it happens again. The epicenter is far enough away that we’ll never be in any imminent danger that isn’t escapable.”

Sharon blew out a breath and set her forehead on Cooper’s chest while she grabbed his biceps and squeezed. “I’m sorry about your grandma.”

Cooper stiffened. “Me too, baby. I only met her a few times, but I know she was a great woman. And I have no doubt Melinda will also be destined for incredible things.” He paused and then continued. “And her daughter will also learn our ways and make the world a better place someday.”

Sharon lifted her face. “Are you sure she wants to have kids? She has been pretty adamant about that with Trace and Keegan. I’ve seen her give them a glare that could cut through glass a few times when the subject came up.”

A slow smile spread across Cooper’s face. “Well, that may be, but she better get ready because she has nine months to prepare.”

“Nooo…” Sharon’s voice trailed off with her shock.

Jackson swung around to the side. “She’s pregnant?”

Cooper nodded. “Yep. I’m not sure she even knows it yet. I might not have noticed if I hadn’t spent so much time with her up close today, especially with so much going on.”

“You don’t think Trace knows?” Sharon asked. “Or Keegan?”

Cooper shrugged. “I’m sure they do by now, but perhaps not before all the shit hit the fan this morning. She hasn’t been home much in a few days. I’m betting they have been coming and going at odd hours and missing each other.” He grinned.

“Whoa,” Jackson said, glancing back and forth between Sharon and Cooper, “what the hell are you saying? If Melinda doesn’t know and no one else does, how the hell do you know?”

Sharon released Cooper’s bicep to wrap one arm around Jackson. “He can scent it.”

“Pregnancy?”

“Yep.” Cooper chuckled.

“Like immediately?”

“Yep,” he repeated. “Well, within a few hours, usually. I mean once the egg and the sperm get together.”

“Jesus.” Jackson looked pale. “That’s intense.” He released Sharon and slipped out of her grip to walk slowly backward and sit on the edge of the bed. Without looking at either of them, he ran a hand through his hair and stared at the floor.

“Jackson?” Sharon prodded.

He tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling and then flopped onto his back and didn’t move.