He nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“And it’s going to be hard to keep my hands off you.”
“Likewise, but we’ll manage.”
“Is this a good idea?” she asked, uncertain about their decision to join Cooper while he was buried in work.
“It was either join him or spend the day pacing.”
He was right. With a deep breath, she opened the door.
The chaos was more than she expected. Not only were Cooper and his four team members in the room working, but several other people. Half the people were on the phone, and the other half were monitoring computers and readouts, discussing what they were looking at, their voices piling on top of one another.
Cooper lifted his gaze as Sharon stepped into the room with Jackson behind her. He smiled and came toward them. “How’s Mimi?” His face grew serious.
“They aren’t sure yet. Looks like she had a stroke. She hasn’t regained consciousness, and no one knows how long she was on the floor before they found her,” Sharon said.
“God. Don’t you think I should go there?” He glanced around.
Sharon reached for his forearm and squeezed gently. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do right now. She has so much support, and you’re needed here. If I thought one of us should be there, I would go myself.”
He nodded, chewing on his lower lip. “I guess. Feels weird, though.”
Jackson stepped around Sharon. “Tell us what we can do,” he said.
Sharon smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood.
Cooper ran a hand through his hair and spun around to face the room. “Honestly? Make calls. Several students from the college are here helping out today, and we’re about to set up a call station to hit major businesses and organizations in the area to warn them.”
“Warn them of what?” Jackson asked.
“We don’t know. I’ve spoken with the National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado. They’re sending a few people here tomorrow, but I don’t feel like that’s the key to anything.”
“What do you mean?” Sharon asked. She watched his face closely, trying to read him. He was stressed. That was clear. His eyes were wide and bloodshot from lack of sleep and concern.
He stepped closer to them and dipped his head to speak only to the two of them. “Something’s not right. I can feel it.”
“We know that, Cooper,” Sharon added.
He shook his head. “No. I mean really really not right. And I don’t mean in a quantitative measurable sense. I can stare at these machines and gather data all day and night. All that tells me is there are numerous small quakes under the earth and they’re increasing by the hour. But why? What does it mean?”
“That’s what you’re trying to figure out, right?” Sharon whispered. “I mean, don’t be so hard on yourself. Whatever it is, you’ll get to the bottom of it.”
He bit his lower lip and then released it. “That’s just it. I don’t think we will.”
“Ever?” Jackson asked, his brow scrunched.
“No. I mean in time.”
“In time for what?” Jackson tipped his head to one side.
“I don’t know.” Cooper inhaled deeply and blew out a long breath. “But I have a suspicion.” He put his hands on his hips and met each of their gazes one at a time. “I think it would be best if Melinda were here. Do you think that’s possible?”
Sharon fished her cell out of her pocket. “I’ll call her. If it’s possible, she’ll come.”
“How can Melinda help?” Jackson asked.
Cooper turned to face him more fully while Sharon made the call. “When all else fails scientifically, sometimes the best answer comes from one of the females in my family. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth it. If anyone can sense the Earth’s unrest and put a finger on it, it’s Melinda. She’s the most sensitive of all of them.”
“Hello?” Melinda said through the phone.
Sharon held up a finger to quiet Jackson and Cooper. “Melinda, it’s Sharon. How’s Mimi?”
“Still hasn’t regained consciousness, but she’s a trooper. I’m sure she’ll wake up and demand her lunch as soon as her brain is ready.”
Sharon smiled. “I’m sure you’re right. Listen, I hate to ask this, but do you think you could come to the junior college? The tremors are increasing in frequency, duration, and strength. Cooper could really use your sensitivity. He’s pulling his hair out and coming up with no plausible explanation for what’s happening.”
“Okay. Let me see what I can do. I’m sure Mom and Laurie can handle things here. They can always call me if Mimi wakes up.”