Page 4 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“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 oftheSterlings?”
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…theawl 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.
Chapter Four
WYL
After Rod left, I remembered I almost did a U-turn on the way to town, hoping to avoid the whole college thing Walt talked me into this morning. My mental image of college included stuffy, robe-clad college professors with superiority complexes who snubbed their noses at their unworthy students. And young students who rolled their eyes at everything and showed no respect. Something about Rod’s class and Rod himself made me glad I came. I learned to deal with uncomfortable situations in the Marines. Still, I knew my priorities and what to expect from my superiors. WBCC wasn’t the Marines, and the instructors weren’t Drill Sergeants.
A short gal sauntered into the break room like she owned the place.
“You’re Wyl Sterling, aren’t you? Dr. Bonner said you’re in his class. I’m Stella Smith, Dr. Bonner’s secretary and fine arts event coordinator.” Stella filled her coffee mug as she talked.
Stella came across as a bit too enthusiastic, which put me on high alert. Women came on to me a lot, but I avoided any connection. I stood in the presence of a lady, althoughladyseemed a bit of a stretch in this case.
“Is this your first semester?” She leaned against the counter, her left arm across her stomach to push up her ample bosom.
“Guilty,” I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Does it show?”
Stella shook her head. “Except for the deer-in-headlights thing, no.”
I let out a weak chuckle, although I didn’t find her amusing. “Deer in headlights? I need to work on my act.”
“Relax, Wyl.” Stella threw a dismissive wave. “Students of all ages attend here, including older students. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”
I sat. “For the second time this morning, age has crept into the conversation.” I motioned to the empty chair. The one where Rod sat as we chatted earlier. He was just my type. A handsome professor…an out-of-bounds professor who must have a wife and kids. Professors on television and in the movies were all married with children, or at least dating.
Stella plopped into the chair. “Community colleges like WBCC have a higher percentage of non-traditional students.” Her mug thunked on the table. She counted with her fingers as she spoke. “Working people who need extra training, divorcees entering the workforce for the first time, people wanting to change careers, empty nesters who decide to finish a degree, or retired service people looking to beef up their skills for a post-military job.”
“I’m ex-military, so you’re describing me.” I sat and crossed my arms. “But if all instructors are as friendly as Dr. Bonner, being a student will be easier than I expect.”
“He’s a favorite of the students.” Stella took another swallow of coffee. “Are you taking other courses this semester?”
Stella’s intense gaze made me uncomfortable. Did she have the impression I might be interested? “I’m taking an economics class and a biology class. I decided not to overload my first semester.”
