Ample & Alluring

by Mary E Thompson

“It sounds like you need to take a break. The winter festival will be a perfect chance to get out and enjoy everything Winterville has to offer.”

  “There you are, rolling out the Chamber of Commerce speech again. Or is it Visitor’s Center?”

  Wyatt laughed again, making me grin. I really did enjoy talking to him.

  “Alright people, we have an announcement!” Carrie said, interrupting us before I had a chance to say anything else.

  Wyatt and I exchanged a glance then headed to our respective tables. One for the women so we could talk about the men, and one for the men so they could… well, probably talk about the women. Although they had the kids, so maybe not.

  “We’re having another baby!” Carrie announced, squeezing Drew’s hand.

  My eyes immediately went to Addi. Another one of the friends, but also my patient, I knew what Addi had gone through to get pregnant. Hell, besides her husband, Joey, I probably knew the best what she’d been through. I’d been there for her for almost a year. She was one of those patients that made my job harder because I knew they would be amazing parents, but I couldn’t get her pregnant.

  It hurt me to hear Carrie was pregnant. I knew it was killing Addi. She finally swung watery eyes to me, and I almost cried. Shit. I had to find a way to get her pregnant.

  “Congratulations,” I told Drew and Carrie when it was my turn to speak to them. I didn’t know them well, but Drew was Vicki’s boss and she adored him. Carrie was a character, definitely my kind of woman with a dirty mind. Except she didn’t keep it in like I usually did. She definitely kept me laughing.

  Yeah, she was a great mom, too. She deserved another baby. She wanted a lot of kids, and I never begrudged anyone who made getting pregnant look easy. But dammit, I wanted to give that gift to all my patients.

  Everyone morphed into baby fever with questions for Carrie. I slid into a seat next to Addi and quietly asked how she was doing.

  She flashed me a smile I knew was forced. “I’m happy for them.”

  “I never said you weren’t.”

  “You know how it is,” she said with a shrug.

  I nodded. “I do. You’re an amazing friend. It’s hard to sit back and watch so many babies come into this group when you’ve been trying. It’ll be your turn one day.”

  Addi came to the realization that things were going to be harder for her before we met. I hated to see the defeated look in her dark eyes when they met mine. “I hope so.”

  “I’m not ready to give up if you’re not,” I said with a lift of my eyebrows.

  She shook her head. “I’m not ready to give up yet either.”

  “Good. You have an appointment in two weeks, right?”

  She nodded.

  “We’ll talk then. For now, maybe we can steer things away from babies?”

  She grinned. “I’d like that, but Carrie needs to have her time to be excited. They’ll move on eventually.”

  “To sex most likely,” I teased.

  “You’ve learned our weakness.”

  I laughed. “High school boys have nothing on this group.”

  Addi, the high school science teacher, laughed. “Sadly, I think I agree with you!”

  ”I’ve decided we need to change our agreement,” Wyatt said as we helped clean up.

  “Oh, really?” I prompted, a smile already teasing my lips. “And what changes do you propose?”

  “Well, just going to the winter festival isn’t enough. Since we aren’t having that until January, you’ll miss so much the town has to offer between now and Christmas. I think we should make this a whole winter experiment.”

  “Experiment?” I asked, feeling excited and apprehensive at the same time. I could definitely get on board with an experiment.

  “Yes. I’ll show you what I love about the holidays and you can try to shoot down all my amazing ideas. The winter festival will be the end of our experiment.”

  “And what happens at the end?” I asked, the scientist in me curious.

  Wyatt shrugged. “What happens at the end of any experiment?”

  “Well, you come to a conclusion. Decide which hypothesis was correct. Who wins, so to speak.”

  His face broke into a wide grin. “I like the sound of that. But we need to have something at stake. The winner has to get something.”

  “Like what?”

  He rubbed his chin, contemplating what he wanted. He was trouble. I could see it.

  “When I win, and convince you that this is a great time of year, then you have to be my date on Valentine’s Day.”

  “Whoa, date? I thought you were happy to be single?”

  He nodded. “I am. But the town has a Valentine’s party for all the staff. Since Christmas is so busy, we do something in February. Over the years it’s become a Valentine’s Day thing. Everyone brings their significant other. And I’m always alone.”

  “Aw, poor lonely Mayor Ramsey.”

  He laughed at my sad, pouty lip.

  “Be careful with that. Someone might get the wrong idea and try to kiss your sadness away.”

  I stuck my lip out again. His eyes dipped to it and I swore they darkened.

  “You’re a temptation I can’t afford, Peyton.”

  I laughed. “I’m not trying to tempt you, Wyatt.”

  “That doesn’t mean you aren’t.”

  “Oh,” I said, the playfulness disappearing. I needed the temptation as badly as he did.

  “On the off chance that you win, what do you want?” he asked, tearing his eyes from my lips.

  “Hmm.” I tapped a finger on my chin, trying to come up with something really good. Something that would be worthy of the torture I was going to endure trying to enjoy the worst few months of the year for me. “When I win, I want you to come up with an event for women who can’t get pregnant and who can’t afford the expensive treatment to keep trying.”

  “What?” he asked, clearly shocked by my request.

  “I lose patients more often because they can’t afford to continue than because they get pregnant. The treatments are pricey. Especially once we move past prescription medication treatment. All advanced treatments are expensive. Most insurances don’t cover the meds these patients need. One IVF attempt is into five figures. You’ve done a lot of great things for this town. Your events are fabulous. But there is a large group of residents who don’t attend because it’s too painful to watch all the happy parents with their children. These couples aren’t able to have their own children naturally, they can’t afford to have children with medical help, and adoption is risky in New York, not to mention it takes years to go through the process. This is an underserved group. We need to bring some attention to them. Maybe even make the dream of being parents come true.”

  “Wow,” he breathed when I was done. “You’re right. I never wanted kids so I never thought about how the people who do might see the events we throw. Shit. I’m an insensitive ass.”

  I shook my head. “You’re not. You’re just unaware. I want to change that.”

  “Me too. I think that’s a great idea, Peyton.”

  “Good. I look forward to making it happen.”

  “Me too.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Admitting defeat already?”

  A laugh burst from him. “Not a chance. We start Friday. Our first winter date. What time are you off work?”

  “Six,” I said, waiting for him to tell me it was too late.

  “Perfect. I’ll pick you up.”

  “I look forward to changing your mind, Mr. Mayor.”

  “And I look forward to changing yours, Dr. Peyton.”

  I was dying to get my sister alone by the time we left Bite Me! I was horrible with men, but I knew Wyatt was flirting with me.

  Not that anything would happen, but it was nice to have a guy like him show any kind of interest. He not only wanted to get together in a few days, but he wanted me as his date in February. Valentine’s Day.

  It might end my torture in a good way
instead of a frustrating one like normal.

  I waited with my Lexus running while Vicki made out with Hunter. I wondered why they didn’t just move in together, but I figured it had something to do with me. Vicki always worried I’d starve to death if she wasn’t around to feed me.

  She was probably right, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.

  Maybe she’d find a way to relax if she knew Wyatt and I were going to spend time together.

  She finally ran over to the car, nearly falling on the icy parking lot, and rushed to get in. She rubbed her hands together in front of the heater and sighed happily.

  “Hunter isn’t coming over tonight?”

  She shook her head and pouted. “No. He’s going back to work. Maybe tomorrow night.”

  “Good. I think you guys are good together.”

  “I do, too. You and Wyatt were pretty cozy.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah. I like him. He’s a good guy.”

  “He really is. They’re all good guys.”

  “I wanted to tell you something.”

  “Ooh, I wanted to tell you something, too. I’ve been debating on talking to you for a while, but I know it’s silly to keep it from you.”

  Curiosity piqued, I told her to go first.

  “I want a baby.”

  “Oh, um, okay,” I said, unsure where she was going with that statement.

  “Like now. I’ve wanted kids forever, but when Riley had Pauline I… It was different. Like I couldn’t ignore my desire to be a mom for much longer.”

  “Is this why you started dating all those guys a few months ago?”

  She nodded and chewed her cherry red lip. “Yeah. I thought if I went out with enough guys, I’d find someone who would be a good sperm donor.”

  “Sperm donor?” I sputtered.

  Vicki laughed. “Crazy, right? I knew I wanted a kid, but I wasn’t too in love with the idea of a husband. I’d been burned too many times. I just wanted a kid, and was kind of looking for a guy who was willing to get me pregnant and walk away.”

  “Please tell me Hunter is not the winner of that one,” I groaned, really afraid that my sister had completely lost her mind.

  She shook her head. “No. I love Hunter. He made me see why something like that was nuts. But I still want kids.”

  “Okay,” I drawled, unsure where the conversation was going.

  Vicki parked and turned to me. “Maybe this is too much to ask, but Hunter and I want to start trying to have a baby.”

  “You’re not married,” I blurted, as though that were a requirement.

  “I know, but we will be one day. I’m getting older. I don’t want to waste any time when I could have kids just because we aren’t married yet. Hunter feels the same.”

  “Well, that’s great. I think.”

  Vicki laughed. “Thanks. I really wasn’t sure how you would feel. I mean, I know you talk about pregnancy all the time, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay giving me advice.”

  “Advice?” I squeaked.

  She nodded, her auburn hair sliding over her shoulders. “Yeah. Positions to try. Things I should eat. Stuff to avoid. All the stuff you deal with every day, you know?”

  I did know. She wanted free advice. It was fine, because she was my sister, but it was a little weird to be coaching her and Hunter, especially knowing they would be taking some of that advice in the bedroom next to mine.

  Talk about crossing the line.

  “I’ll make you a deal,” I said, slipping into doctor mode with ease. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but if you ever ask me to critique your moves, in person, I’ll never speak to you again.”

  “Ew! There are certain things you shouldn’t share with your sister.”

  I nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Yeah, no. Definitely no in person coaching. Just tips.”

  “Let’s go inside. I need wine for this.”

  Vicki laughed and led the way inside. She poured us each a glass of red wine while I dug in my bag for pamphlets I had. We talked for hours, her asking questions, me giving advice. She told me she had a game-plan, but I told her to keep it to herself.

  When we finally said goodnight and went to our rooms, I realized I never told her anything about Wyatt or our project.

  Chapter 3

  I still didn’t talk to Vicki by Friday night. She was out with Hunter so I didn’t worry about her when Wyatt showed up to pick me up.

  Jeez, the man just got more attractive every time I saw him. Dark jeans with black boots, a gray sweater with a black jacket. And that sexy smile that made me want to kiss him.

  He was potent.

  “Hey,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “You look great.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “I thought this wasn’t a real date. Why are you complimenting me?”

  Wyatt laughed. “You’re going to keep me in line, aren’t you?”

  I nodded. “Absolutely, Mayor Ramsey.”

  He leaned in close, his minty breath warming my cold cheeks. “Well, Dr. Peyton, you look great. I’m not going to refrain from complimenting a beautiful woman just because this isn’t a real date.”

  I smiled at him, knowing he was going to test me. Just being with him was already making me enjoy the holidays. And we weren’t even doing anything holiday related.

  “In that case, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Are you ready?”

  I nodded and followed him to his black SUV. He opened the door for me, prompting another lift of my eyebrows and a laugh from him, then jogged around the front to climb in next to me.

  “I figured I need to feed you first, but then we have something fun planned for later.”

  “Should I be worried?” I asked, knowing he wasn’t going to tell me anything.

  He smirked. “Always.”

  We laughed and slipped into an easy conversation as he drove to dinner. When he stopped at Kobe, I got nervous.

  “This place is really expensive.”

  He looked at me and grinned. “First, I’m paying. This is my treat. Second, I like it here. It’s one of the places I like to go during the holidays. They decorate the entire place and it’s amazing. I really hope you’ll join me.”

  The conviction in his voice took me by surprise. He wasn’t trying to impress me with his money. He was showing me something he loved about Christmas. Following our deal.

  “I’m not sure I’m dressed right for this,” I said, gesturing to my black leggings and oversized sweater dress. It was comfortable without being too casual, but it wasn’t Kobe appropriate.

  “You look beautiful. Didn’t we already cover that?” he teased.

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. When I walk in there with you, no one’s going to notice me anyway. Our hot mayor will capture the attention of all the women, and the men.”

  “Dr. Peyton, are you flirting with me?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Just get your sexy ass inside, Mayor Ramsey.”

  “Ooh. I’m not only hot, but I have a sexy ass. This date just gets better and better.”

  “I’m happy to help your ego.”

  Wyatt opened the door for me to go inside ahead of him. “Having you out with me is enough of an ego boost, Peyton. But I won’t tell you to stop with the compliments.”

  We followed the hostess to the table past all the intricate chandeliers and elaborate table settings. My eyes were drawn to the massive Christmas tree in the center of the room. White lights blinked at us, allowing the red and green ornaments and ribbons to be the main attraction. I had to admit, it was stunning.

  The hostess chatted easily with Wyatt, as though they knew each other, while I tried to keep my eyes on them instead of the tree. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d dated her at some point, or slept with her, but Wyatt didn’t seem the type to shit where he ate. It made me think he really did love the restaurant.

  Of course, then she grinned at me without a hint of jealousy and I knew that was exactly the case.


  “How often do you come here?” I asked when the hostess was gone.

  He shrugged. “Probably once a week.”

  “Damn. I should have gone into public service instead of becoming a doctor.”

  Wyatt laughed. “There are a few perks, but expensive dinners isn’t one of them. I live very modestly. I like food though.”

  “Me, too. But it shows a little more on me.”

  “Didn’t I already say you’re beautiful?” he teased, again.

  “You did. Thank you. Twice. I’m not fishing for compliments.”

  “I was starting to wonder. But I’ll hand them out as much as you’d like.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  I broke eye contact and looked at the menu. Really, I just needed a minute to remind myself that Wyatt was a friend and that he was being nice, not hitting on me. I had a tendency to cross that line when I had male friends. Especially when they were as attractive as Wyatt. I knew my figure wasn’t what it should be. Not from a being attractive standpoint, but from a healthy standpoint. I was a doctor. I knew I needed to lose weight. But salads didn’t appeal to me as much as the thick steak with burgundy glaze and a side of garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables that I was trying not to drool over on the menu. I loved food. I loved bad food. And I didn’t exercise enough. But I enjoyed life. And I figured that was the best I could do.

  “Are you up for some wine tonight?” Wyatt asked when I set my menu down.

  “Definitely. Do you like red or white?”

  “Usually red with a steak. What are you getting for dinner?”

  “Steak.”

  His eyes sparkled. “Good. I was afraid you were going to try to eat a salad or something like that.”

  “I don’t think I could sit here with the scent of steak all around me and not eat one. My mouth is already watering and I haven’t even ordered.”

  Wyatt laughed. “I feel the same way.”

  The waitress came over and took our orders. She promised she’d be right back with the wine. She obviously knew Wyatt, too, but she didn’t seem as friendly to me as the hostess.

  “I think she has a crush on you,” I teased when she left.

  Wyatt nodded. “I know. I’ve tried to ignore it, but she’s persistent. If she’s rude to you, please let me know.”