Page 2 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“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.”
