Page 1 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Book One: Unexpected
Chapter One
WYL
What was I doing here? I glanced at my classmates. Damn, they were young. The age of my children, if I had children. Did gay couples have children? My years in the Marines shielded me from gay life, so my gay experience is almost nonexistent. I half expected these youngsters to eye me, nudge the one next to them, and whisper about the old guy in the back corner.
What if my classmates discovered my gay side? To them, I'm ancient. My last student experience stretched back almost a quarter century to Blackfield High. Am I cut out for college? Thanks to the Marines, I learned computer coding. But with regular computer programs like college kids use for, well, whatever they used them for, I’m clueless. Oh, I mastered basic word processing and simple spreadsheets, but not much else. I learned how to use my cell phone for talking and texting, but all the apps confused me. I shuddered. There were so many reasons I didn’t belong in this classroom.
A man, who I figured was the professor, walked in carrying a book and papers. He appeared to be about my age. Handsome, too. A possible friend? Nope. Too complicated. Besides, are any college professors gay? I doubt it. I bet the gay population in Blackfield is, oh, one. Me. My one disastrous fling with a fellow Marine years ago in Europe ended in disaster. I'm not trudging down that path again. Not in Blackfield. Besides, if my brother found out, what would he do? At least if I earned a degree, I could support my half of Sterling Ranch. But so far, nothing eliminated my apprehension about college and the sense that I didn’t belong.
* * *
ROD
I enjoyed the first class day of each semester, but something about this day felt different. A sense of eager anticipation tapped me on the shoulder and whispered:Today holds a surprise.
I scanned the classroom. It held the usual mix of students from different backgrounds and majors. As I set my book and notes on the podium, my eye caught an unexpected lone figure in the back row to the right. A handsome older man. Not old by any means, but intriguing. His posture and expression said,oh-shit-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into.He eyed the teens as if they were some sort of alien life form. I wondered what brought him here. I wanted to comfort him. Ease his worries. Be his friend. I shook my head. What a ridiculous thought.
My ten-year committed relationship ended several years ago when my husband, Patrick, embezzled half a million dollars from the bank where he worked, and disappeared. Relationships with other men stayed off my list. Still, this intriguing student, with broad shoulders and jet-black hair pulled back tight against his scalp, took top honors as one fantastic specimen of eye candy. His olive skin and striking facial features pointed to an interesting genetic background. I never studied genetics, but I struggled to take my eyes off him. I needed to learn more about this handsome stranger, so I would deviate from my usual start to class and ask all students to introduce themselves. At least his name is on my roll sheet. He glanced up, and our eyes locked.
Oh, shit. A jolt coursed through me. What kind of magic did this mysterious student possess? My heart went into overdrive as he gazed into my inner spirit. And yet his gaze showed part pleading and part resignation. He was lost, and I would do everything possible to welcome him. I snapped my attention to the classroom and clapped my hands to quiet the chatter.
"Welcome, everyone. I’m Dr. Rod Bonner.” I cleared the raspiness from my throat. The handsome student’s presence did a number on me. “I am Division Chair of Fine Arts and your instructor for Music Appreciation. Welcome to the first day of the fall semester. I want you to stand, give your name, tell something about yourself, and share with the class how you ended up at White Buffalo Community College in this little West Texas town of Blackfield.”
A collective groan rose, and students shifted in their seats. I pointed to the student in the first row on my left. “Stand, tell us your name and where you’re from, and share why you came to White Buffalo Community College.
Chapter Two
WYL
I listened as each student stood and gave their story—typical college students here for a vocational certificate or as a stepping-stone to a four-year institution. I grew more tense as my time approached. I did not belong here. These students had not yet been born when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. When my turn came, all eyes turned to me. I wondered what they thought. My knees trembled, but I stood and cleared my throat. “Hi. I’m Wyl Sterling.” I glanced at the professor. His soft and encouraging expression comforted me. “Um…my family owns a ranch west of town. After graduating from Blackfield High, I traveled the country for a year before joining the Marines and serving as a cryptologist in the Corps for twenty years. I retired from the Corps and returned to Blackfield to help my brother run the family ranch. Not much else to say except I love horses.” I glanced at the professor's smiling face.
* * *
ROD
Wyl’s deep, resonant voice captivated me. During his intro, his eye caught mine as he shared his story. A story I missed most of because his presence captivated me so much. Nervous when he stood, he eased into his talk and turned to face the students. If he remained as uneasy as when I first noticed him seated in the back corner, his anxiety either vanished or he covered it well. As he spoke, the long braid down his back showed. This guy pushed all my buttons. Even waking those buttons I thought long dormant. Damn, I longed to know him on a personal level. But college policy forbids faculty/student relationships. Besides, a man as handsome as Wyl Sterling is no doubt straight and enjoys a beautiful wife and a couple of kids. I’m not about to hit on him. It would be a long time before I could trust another man, handsome or not.
Wyl’s words filled the classroom. Then I realized he finished speaking and stood waiting for me to permit him to sit. I coughed to clear my throat. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling.”
Wyl nodded and folded back into his seat.
I shuffled my lecture papers to refocus on the task. I remembered Wyl saying something about being retired from the Marine Corps after twenty years and about cryptology. His remaining intro was shrouded in the fantasy my brain tried to create, encouraged by my racing heart. I could not let myself fall for this handsome man. Yeah, I know, that train left the station.
“Since each of you shared your story, it’s only fair that I share a bit about myself. Like Mr. Sterling, I grew up in Blackfield. I left twenty-five years ago to make my place in the world. I worked in various corporate jobs until ten years ago, when I moved back to Blackfield to teach at White Buffalo Community College. I have a doctorate in music and teach Music Appreciation classes. I live in Blackfield in my historic Bonner Family home.”
I spent the rest of the class period discussing expectations for the course and answering questions. At the close of the eighty minutes, the students filed out.
After scribbling a few end-of-class notes, I glanced up to find Wyl still seated. A thrill flowed through me. “Did you have a question, Mr. Sterling?” I gathered my book and notes.
Wyl shook his head. “No, sir, Dr. Bonner.” He bent down to pick up a cowboy hat, and again, the long, manly braid flowed down his back. This handsome man possessed individuality, independence, and self-confidence. And I reminded myself to stop thinking about Wyl Sterling. He's my student, and off-limits.
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.
