“Ms. Tara McNeal,” she corrected. “This is Erin.”
Matt motioned for her to go in his office as Judy mouthed a thank-you, then disappeared. “Well, Ms. McNeal,” he began as he shut the door. “Have a seat.”
She ignored him and looked around the office. After a few seconds, she finally turned her attention to him.
“Can you tell me why it was so imperative I see you?” Matt asked.
“It’s about my baby.”
“Did my secretary explain I only see patients by referral?” He looked at Erin, then sat behind his desk. “I can send you to an excellent pediatrician, Dr. Talbert.”
“No,” she blurted, then calmed. “I don’t need a pediatrician.”
“Then please tell me why you’re here.” Matt glanced at his watch. He had to talk with Ryan’s foster parents. “I have a consultation in a few minutes.”
Suddenly Tara wanted to run. She had no doubt she could raise Erin by herself…alone. There was nothing worse than a man who didn’t want to be in his child’s life.
But she had to keep her promise to Bri.
She stole a glance at the tall Dr. Landers, a good-looking man with a square jaw and a slight cleft in his chin. His wheat-colored hair was parted neatly to one side. Tara swallowed a sudden dryness in her throat when his deep-set coffee eyes settled on her. Oh, my, sis. You were way out of your league.
Tara straightened to her full five foot eight. Just think about Erin, she told herself as she saw that the man behind the glass and chrome desk was quickly becoming impatient.
“What was it you wanted to discuss with me, Ms. McNeal?” he asked.
She unfastened the carrier and cradled Erin in her arms. “It’s about my sister, Briana…Briana McNeal.”
He looked confused. “What about your sister?”
Tara was saddened that he didn’t even recognize the name. “She died three months ago. This is her daughter, Erin.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. “So you’re Erin’s guardian now?”
Tara nodded, hoping desperately that would remain true.
“What is your niece’s condition?” He stepped around the desk, then reached out and stroked Erin’s head. “She looks healthy.” He smiled. “But looks can be deceiving, can’t they? I really need to see her medical records, though, before I can go any further.”
Tara blew out a long breath in frustration. She was tired of his game. “I’m not here because of a medical problem, Dr. Landers. You knew my sister, Briana. You spent time with her over a year ago.” She held his gaze. “Erin is your daughter.”
Matt Landers stood frozen. This had to be a joke. A bad joke.
“There’s been some mistake,” he said, trying to remain calm. “I’ve never met anyone named Briana.”
Tara McNeal gave him a knowing look, as if she’d expected him to say exactly that. “Well, according to my sister, you’re her daughter’s father.”
Just the thought of this precious child being his caused a familiar ache in his chest. But there wasn’t the remotest possibility of this accusation being true. He shook away the thought and wiped his face of any expression.
“Look, Ms. McNeal, I don’t know what kind of scam you’re pulling, but I’ve never met your sister,” he insisted.
“Why would my sister lie about this? She was dying.” Tara McNeal lowered her tear-glazed eyes.
Matt tried not to notice her tears. “Maybe knowing she was dying, she wanted to make sure her daughter was taken care of.”
“I’m taking care of Erin. Besides, I have proof.” She maneuvered a large bag off her shoulder, opened it, then took out an envelope. “Explain this,” she said, handing it to him.
Matt knew he shouldn’t give this woman’s claim any credence. All he had to do was show her the door. Or call security. He’d been sought after before. Doctors often had to deal with deluded people. It was the nature of the profession. The price he paid for the acclaim he’d received as a heart surgeon.
But he found himself reaching for the envelope and taking out a birth certificate for Erin Marie Landers. Born March twenty-ninth in Phoenix, Arizona. Mother: Briana McNeal. Father: Dr. Matthew Landers. Suddenly it felt like something was sitting on Matt’s chest, and he couldn’t breath. He knew it couldn’t possibly be true, but to see it on paper… He looked at the rosy-cheeked baby in the woman’s arms, and his yearning grew worse.
“Do you still deny you’re her father?”
His gaze met Tara McNeal’s, but he could not think of anything to say. Then the anger started to build inside his chest as he remembered the years of pain, the anguish he’d gone through…. He shook away the memory. He had to get to the bottom of this. “Your niece is a beautiful child, but she’s not mine.”
The young woman closed her eyes and drew a long breath.
“Look, Ms. McNeal, I’m sorry, but you have to believe me when I say I never met anyone named Briana McNeal. If I had, why didn’t she contact me when she discovered she was pregnant?”
“She did,” the redhead insisted. “You talked several times, but then your calls stopped. Then, when she tried to get in touch with you again, your cellular phone conveniently was disconnected.”
Whoever the father was, the guy was a real jerk, Matt thought. “Then why didn’t she call me here at the hospital? You didn’t have any trouble finding me.”
Once again he got her icy green-eyed stare. “She figured you didn’t want her around. But in the hospital when she became so sick…” Tara paused. “She told me that Erin had a right to know her father.”
Matt rubbed his forehead. Damn. How could this be happening to him? “Did your sister say where she met me? Was it here in Santa Cruz? Did anyone see us together?”
The baby started to fuss, and Tara shifted Erin to her shoulder. “According to Briana, the two of you met in Mexico nine months before Erin’s birth. She’s three months old. That’s pretty close to a year ago. Can you tell me that you haven’t been to Mexico?”
No, he couldn’t. He’d gone to Mexico several times on consultations.
“Of course, I’ve been there,” he said. “I go down to Mexico City for a few weeks every year to perform surgery.” He raked his hand through his hair. “But I never leave the hospital except to go to my hotel and sleep.”
There was another flash of pain in Tara McNeal’s eyes as she shook her head. “Okay, I tried. I’ve come to see you and fulfilled my promise to my sister. But I can’t make you want to be a part of your daughter’s life,” she said, wrapping her arms around the baby protectively. “But don’t worry, Dr. Landers, this child won’t lack for love. She’s got family. Me.” Tara began gathering her bag. “Sorry I bothered you.”
Matt drew a long breath. “How many times do I have to tell you, she’s not my daughter? So if you’re looking for money, you’ve come to the wrong place—”
Her back straightened. “I didn’t come here for your money, Dr. Landers. I already have custody of my niece and I plan to raise her like my own. That means taking full financial responsibility. We’re family, and someday she’ll have brothers and sisters.” Her glare was heated with anger. “But it was Bri’s last request that you be told about your daughter.”
Matt