Read If You Ever Tell for Free Online

caught sight of Teresa. Now, on the dance floor, Teresa abruptly stiffened and moved away from him.
    “I know what you just remembered, Teri,” Mac said mildly.
    “Oh? Are you a mind reader as well as a businessman now?”
    “Not at all. I just know you. I know your body language and your expressions. You were remembering—”
    “The song’s coming to an end.” Teresa took her arm off his shoulder and gave him a polite smile. “Thank you for requesting this number,” she said woodenly. “It was very considerate of you.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” Mac had immediately switched his demeanor. He’s making fun of me by tossing my discomfort in my face, Teresa thought angrily. “We try to please here at Club Rendezvous, ma’am.”
    Teresa ignored his jibe at her formality. “I believe I have a fresh drink waiting for me at the table.”
    “You do indeed, with four cherries in it. The two extra cherries are on the house in honor of your birthday.” He gave her that maddeningly dazzling smile and made a slight movement that resembled a bow. “Thank you kindly for the dance. Shall I walk you to your table?”
    “It’s only a few feet away. I think I can make it by myself.”
    She fled back to the safety of the table and immediately turned on Carmen. “You told him we were coming tonight and it’s my birthday!”
    “I told him we were coming. He already remembered your birthday.” Carmen propped her elbows on the table, cupping her chin in her hands, and grinned. “For a while you two looked pretty cozy out there.”
    “We were just dancing,” Teresa snapped, grabbing her fresh drink.
    “Barely. Mostly you were clinging, gazing romantically into each other’s eyes.”
    “Oh, Carmen, don’t be absurd!”
    “You were. Not that I blame you. God, they invented the word ‘rakish’ to describe Mac MacKenzie’s smile. It could stop a heart. And those dimples…” She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. “I thought for certain there would be a lingering kiss at the end of the song.”
    Teresa glowered at Carmen, then stared straight ahead, embarrassed although she knew Carmen was only teasing.
    Sharon, obviously realizing Teresa was in no mood for what could be considered mockery, tossed a hard look at Carmen. Teresa knew that although her sister-in-law tolerated Carmen, she thought the older woman tactless, even brash. “I can’t imagine that Carmen was your mother’s best friend. My mother would have had
nothing
to do with her,” Sharon had huffed once to Teresa, and remembering that Sharon considered her deceased mother the perfect woman, Teresa had merely smiled.
    “I know that’s your favorite song, Teri. It was nice of Mac to request it for you on your birthday, but you didn’t look to
me
as if he were sweeping you off your feet. I’m sure not to anyone else, either. Some people just enjoy making others feel uncomfortable.” Sharon flung the words defiantly at Carmen.
    Although Carmen clearly had gotten Sharon’s message, she relaxed in her chair and said casually, “I love that song, too. I used to have a cassette tape of it, but the tape snapped. I think I’ll order a CD tomorrow.” She paused, grinning without malice at Sharon. “When it comes in, I’ll ask Herman over to dance to it with me if he isn’t too busy with his knitting. Would you and Kent like to join us?”
    Teri laughed and even Sharon smiled, breaking the strain at the table. A couple of minutes later, Sharon had begun talking about getting her son, Daniel, started on his riding lessons at Teresa’s school, reminding her of the family’s planned tour tomorrow afternoon, although the child had been to Farr Fields many times. “Teri, you do have a nice, gentle horse for him to train on, don’t you?” Sharon anxiously asked.
    “I have one that’s perfect for him.” Teresa pictured the pony she’d chosen for the little boy who was becoming skittish because of Sharon’s constant hovering.
    “I want