Chapter 3
Chapter Three
WYL
Hat in hand, I stood and strolled to the front of the classroom. I dropped my hat on a desk, and set my leather satchel on the floor.
“Dr. Bonner, I struggled with being here this morning. Starting college this late in life, I expected the students to make fun of the old guy in the classroom. But listening to each student share their fears, I soon realized I was no different. Having your class first helps me ease into an unknown situation.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed the class, Mr. Sterling.” Dr. Bonner motioned toward the hallway. “Stop by my office any time. My door is always open.”
I nodded. “Dr. Bonner, Mr. Sterling was my father. I prefer Wyl.”
He nodded. “Okay. Wyl.
I put on my hat, dipped my head, and smiled a cowboy thank you. “Does the campus have a snack bar or coffee shop?” I picked up my satchel. “My next class isn’t until almost 11:00, so I have time to kill. I could sure use a coffee.”
“This is a small campus in a small town, Wyl—no snack bar or coffee shop. The cafeteria serves breakfast, including coffee, but its breakfast hours end before this class does. The bookstore offers coffee, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Our small break room has a coffeemaker. Why don’t you join me? I have a bit of free time, too.”
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You let students share your break room?”
“Wyl, you’re not a typical student. Think of the gesture as me helping you get comfortable with the college life you dreaded.
Most students don’t want to hang around with their stuffy old professor, but you hung around after class to talk to me.
As for the break room, the other instructors in this building wander in sometimes, as does my secretary, Stella.
Otherwise, the room stays empty.” He pointed to the classroom doorway.
“Follow me. The coffee is free and better than anywhere else on campus.”
“If you’re sure. On the ranch, the hands don’t sit around with the bosses. And by the way, you don’t strike me as old or stuffy,” I grinned.
“Our students don’t have bosses, Wyl. Think of yourself as the customer and me as the shopkeeper.
It’s my job to ensure your happiness with my product.
In this case, the product is an education.
So I’m hoping you’ll join me for a coffee and a few minutes of your time.
I want to learn more about what brought you to my class. ”
“With an invitation like yours, I can't refuse.” I motioned toward the door. “Lead the way, professor.”
* * *
ROD
As I led Wyl out of the classroom, butterflies swarmed my stomach.
My list of bad ideas included innocent friendships with students.
But something about him made me abandon logic and common sense.
But how could a young and handsome ranch owner not be married with children?
Oh well, it’s not against the rules to dream.
At the break room door, I motioned to the table and chairs. “Have a seat. Let me drop my things in my office across the hall, and I’ll make a fresh pot.”
Wyl ducked past me, brushing against me as he did. Sensations from the brief touch flowed through me. Something I should not experience with a student. A straight student.
I tossed my class materials on the desk, lecturing myself for the attraction. Don’t get yourself into trouble! I strolled into the break room and grabbed the coffee carafe to rinse and refill.
He sat, forearms on the table, again radiating uneasiness. What happened between the classroom and here? “Are you waiting for the walls to cave in?”
Wyl leaned back in his chair and let out a breath.
“Nah. Thinking about what I’m up against. You eased me over the first hurdle, but I have two more classes.
Can I cut it in college? While you’re helping me understand college life, what if I have trouble with my other courses? I’m not asking you; I’m asking myself.”
“Did someone say something?”
Wyl shook his head. “Not at all. It’s hard to talk in front of a room full of teenagers.
“Wyl, you just demonstrated an ease that I rarely see, and the class enjoyed your words. Besides, age has nothing to do with being a college student. Everyone has a preconceived idea of how old college students should be. We have quite a few non-traditional students who don’t fall into the teenage bracket. ”
“Really?” Wyl showed surprise and a bit of hope.
“What two other courses are you taking?”
“Economics and biology,” Wyl said. “And I haven’t talked to anyone but the registrar and you.”
“Do either of those subjects make you fear you won’t succeed?”
Wyl shook his head. “It’s been a long time since I took a biology or economics class, but neither is out of my reach. It’s being in a classroom. You did an amazing job pulling the separate students into a group. What if the other two instructors aren’t as easy to work with?”
Wyl thought I was easy to work with. That’s one in the plus column for me. Uh…shit…I must not think about plus columns or anything related to this student.
“Are you in Ortega's biology and Bowden's economics courses?”
Wyl pulled a schedule out and nodded. “Yes to both.” He tucked the paper back into the satchel.
“I’m accustomed to training. The military provides tons of training.
However, the military classes helped me learn new approaches to a familiar topic.
It’s been 22 years since my days at Blackfield High.
My last economics or science classes happened more than two decades ago.
I’m not sure I can succeed in a college course for either subject. ”
“You wouldn’t be here if the Admissions office didn’t give you a high success factor. Besides, like me, all instructors are happy to help their students. Just ask. And stop worrying so much about failure. And come to my office if you have trouble.”
Wyl’s shoulders relaxed, and he sat back in his chair. “Thanks, Dr. Bonner.”
I pressed the brew button on the coffeemaker. “On a different topic, and if you don’t mind me asking, is your braid symbolic?”
“Yes. My mom is full-blood Apache. She and my dad met as students at New Mexico State University.”
As he talked, Wyl motioned with his hands to emphasize points. I could almost feel his big hands massaging my shoulders.
“After high school, I traveled the country, learning more about my heritage. The braid symbolizes not only my Native American roots but also the woman who bore me and taught me to be proud—my mom.”
Coffee gurgled into the carafe. “While today’s online generation can experience virtual connections, you have an amazing real-world link to your past. I’m sure your parents are proud of the man you became.”
Color flashed on Wyl’s cheeks. “Thank you, Dr. Bonner.”
Seeing Wyl’s faint blush, a pang of excitement rolled through me—feelings I couldn’t have for a student, regardless of age.
Wyl crossed a booted ankle over one knee. “My parents are gone now. My brother ran the ranch by himself, but he needed help. My taking over the business end made sense. He decided I should enroll at WBCC to learn current business practices.”
The aroma of brewing coffee filled the room. “Your brother decided?”
Wyl nodded. “He’s my younger brother. Let’s say he can be quite persuasive.”
“He sounds like a smart man. Having a degree makes sense, regardless of your age when you finish. And speaking of age,” I tried to keep the smirk off my face. “I’m looking forward to having an older student in my course.”
Wyl raised one eyebrow. “What do you mean, older?”
My focus went to the plump lower lip between Wyl’s teeth and the tease in his voice.
I strolled over to the maintenance closet and tugged open the door.
“I think we put a cane in here somewhere.” I rattled the broom handles before glancing at Wyl.
“Old guys like you need help getting around, right?”
Wyl barked out a deep, hearty laugh. “I’m only forty. Not quite ready to move to an old folks’ home.”
Grinning, I closed the closet and grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. I poured coffee and offered a mug to Wyl. His intense grey-green eyes caught mine before I glanced away.
“Thank you, Dr. Bonner.”
I took a deep breath, thinking of lesson plans and staff meeting—anything but the hunky, part-Native-American rancher seated at the table.
A hunky rancher, I shouldn’t think about.
I had not been this attracted to another man in years.
But attraction to a straight student meant bigger trouble than I needed.
I cleared my throat, tugging my thoughts back to the present. “All old-age comments aside, most WBCC students are in their late teens, but this morning, you told the class you served in the Marines for twenty years. To them, you’re ancient.”
Wyl raised the mug in a salute. “I prefer the term older to ancient. I bet we’re about the same age.”
Rod laughed. “I’m forty-five, so way older.”
Wyl squinted his grey-green eyes at me. “You’re lucky this building includes handicap ramps. I bet stairs give you trouble.”
“Shut up!” I grinned. “The only trouble with this building is smart-mouthed older students.”
“And how many of those are enrolled in your course?” Wyl gestured with an open hand, expecting the answer to drop into his palm.
“Only the one, but he’s proving to be a handful.” I stood. “And I need to prepare for my next class. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
“Thanks, Dr. Bonner. I’ll wash my mug when I’m done.”
I’m not sure why, but hearing a retired Marine and local ranch owner use my surname and title hit me wrong.
Yeah…I know…stupid. But I wanted to be friends with him, no matter how much trouble I might jump feet-first into.
Still, being honest with myself, I needed to explore the possibility of calling Wyl a friend.
As long as we keep things professional, what can it hurt?
I ignored the stupid inner voice telling me to back away.
I listened for the compassionate inner voice that threw caution to the wind and told me I wanted to ease his stress about being in college.
“Wyl, would you be okay with calling me Rod? We’re about the same age, and a man with your military experience includes life credentials I’ll never have. ”
“Wow. Thanks, Doc…er…Rod.” He grinned. “Coffee in your inner sanctum, and now first names? What’s next? We lay on the floor, chew bubble gum, and read comic books together?” Wyl shook his head and laughed.
I grinned, heat flaming my cheeks. “Shut up, old man. And you come to me if you have any trouble on campus. Non-traditional students are sometimes overwhelmed and drop out. I’m here to help you succeed.”
“Thanks, Rod. I appreciate your support.”
“My office is across the hall. Stop by any time.”
Wyl raised his mug in a salute. “I’ll be in class on Wednesday.”
I strolled across the hall to my office, yearning to stay and talk with Wyl but not wanting the straight rancher to sense the attraction I tried hard to fight. Well, okay, not trying too hard. I settled at my desk to prepare for the next class.
Heels clicking down the hallway heralded Stella's arrival. After a pause at the break room door, her head poked in my doorway. “Morning, boss.”
“Morning, Stella.”
She nodded her head toward the break room and spoke in a whisper. “Who is the gorgeous hunk?”
“The student is Wyl Sterling. He’s in my eight o’clock. We shared coffee after class this morning.”
“Is he one of the Sterlings?”
Stella dug for dirt. As the gossip queen of the campus, if you want something to spread fast, tell her. “What do you mean, the Sterlings?”
“The huge ranch west of town. It’s been in the Sterling family forever.”
Wyl did mention a ranch and a brother, but I didn’t make the connection.
I remembered the Sterling Ranch from my high school days.
Wyl's family had money. Lots of money. My family never cared about the country club set.
Dad's position as chief accountant for one of the oil companies in town meant he worked in the oil business.
Or as people in West Texas called it…the awl bidness.
Dad did well and left a tidy sum to my sister and me, but the mega-wealth associated with property owners with oil wells never reached our house.
“He mentioned running a ranch with his brother. It must be the same family.”
“Brother, huh?” She made a beeline for the break room.
Stella might be a match for Wyl if he didn’t have a wife and kiddos. That would take him off my radar. I shuddered and shook my head.