A few years after writing Indian Summer, I decided to write a contemporary romance, also set in St. Augustine. The interesting twist here is that the two many characters, Carina and Malin, are distantly related to Gabriella and Sailfish from Indian Summer.
Though they never consummate their relationship, Gabriella and Sailfish love one another. I got to thinking, “What if they were reincarnated? What if those reincarnations met up and fell in love?” And so Indian Summer Revisited was born.
Malin is a very talented musician, but his father doesn’t approve. Instead, he’s in college studying history. He meets Carina by accident, when they collide on the stairs. Since meeting her, he’s gotten a dream job playing guitar at a restaurant and has been contacted about a record contract. All the pieces of his life are falling into place.
The following is a conversation with his twin sister, Tess, who calls him because she found out, through their father, that he was working as a musician. She is more than a little annoyed with him for not telling her.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was his sister, Tess. He’d completely forgotten to tell her about the recording contract and he could only imagine how pissed she was going to be with him.
“Hello, brother,” she said cheerfully.
Sighing, he sat at the table to finish his beer. If Tess started out like that, she was furious and he was in really deep shit before he said a single word.
“I know I should have told you, Tess. But you see, there’s this girl—”
“Yes, I know. The beautiful brunette.” Her voice was swimming in honey.
It was the most lethal sound in the world and his insides knotted up.
“I just got off the phone with someone. I’m sure you can imagine who.”
“Dad?”
“Bingo! Right the first time! Give record boy a gold star! He’s rather upset with you. What the hell did you say to him? You didn’t goad him about Nora again, did you?”
“I swear I didn’t. I wanted to, but I thought, What would Tess do? and did the opposite. I was polite, nice, charming.”
“Suck up.”
“Tess, come on.”
“Twisted eel, evil brother, gonad king! You couldn’t tell me? I’m your only sister and you couldn’t reveal this tidbit of news when you called?”
“It just happened last night. I didn’t have this tidbit the last time I called. And I’ve been somewhat busy, Tess. I’m sorry. Didn’t Mom tell you?”
“You told our MOTHER? And you didn’t tell me?”
“Tess!”
He knew he couldn’t win. She was in full swing and he was totally screwed. If he thought he was going to get her to understand, he was dead wrong. It was better to ride it out and let her have her fit. Once she was done, then he could get a word or two in. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like that was going to happen anytime soon.
“Tess, I need to get my stuff packed up.”
“Don’t you have servants for that, Mr. Rock Star?”
“No. I’m not a rock star, I’m just singing at a local restaurant.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, Mal? God, I had to find out from him!”
“Was he mad?” He couldn’t keep the gleeful anticipation from his voice.
“He was livid. I’ve never seen him so angry. He was all red in the face and spitting. It was a beautiful moment.” The anger in her voice subsided, changing to glee.
“He didn’t threaten you with a loaded gun, did he?”
“No. The Nora bitch took them away and locked them up after the time I told him I was pregnant with Clay’s love child.”
“Why would you tell him a thing like that? He hates Clay.”
There was a slight pause and a snort of laughter. Malin gathered up some of his equipment.
“Okay, answered that one myself. I’m sorry I forgot, Tess. The last few days have been completely surreal. I’ve had exams, the new gig and a new girlfriend all since Tuesday.”
“Is she amazing?”
“She bypassed amazing when she rammed me in the gut with her elbow. Honestly, I can’t find words good enough to describe her. She’s symphonic.”
“Oh, I have to forgive you now. You’re in love, you prick. How dare you?”
“Am I? How can you tell?”
She repeated what he said, giving it her own twist. “Gag me now, I might throw up.”
“Wouldn’t you like to be described as symphonic? I think it’s pretty cool.”
“I’d love it, but Gary doesn’t know any words that big. He gets as far as hot and sexy and starts to drool. I’m thinking of breaking up with him.”
“Why’s that? I thought he was great in bed.”
“He’s okay. Clay was better.”
“What?”
“I’m kidding. We never got that far. Not that I wasn’t interested, but we knew you’d kill us both if we even tried it. He kisses well, though. Is he dating anyone?”
“Yeah, he is,” Malin sounded very annoyed. “I can’t believe you liked Clay.”
“Malin, I know you’re just a guy and all, but Clay is nearly as gorgeous as you. It makes me sick to say that, but my brother is one of the best looking men I know and his dorky friend is pretty damn jacked and hot and I’d do him in a heartbeat.”
“Tess,” Malin was getting uncomfortable. “Remember that conversation where it was way too much information?”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, we’ve reached that point again, only it’s your turn.”
“Grow up, Malin! I like sex just as much as you do.”
“Not listening.”
“I’d venture to say I’m nearly as experienced as you are.”
“Still not listening.”
“I did have a thing with your friend Benji a few months ago. He’s kind of kinky, but the things that man can do with his tongue!”
“Tess!”
“What?”
“Bye.”
He hung up, flushed and angry. He really didn’t think Tess had sex with Benji because she was always complaining that he smelled like last week’s dirty laundry. He still didn’t like hearing her talk like that and he certainly hadn’t appreciated what she had to say about Clay.
“Who was that?” Clay asked him in passing.
“That was Tess.”
“Oh, yeah? How’s she doing?”
“She misses you and your tongue.”
Clay wiggled his tongue around, confused. “Me? What for? I thought she hated me.”
“Hell if I know. She’s in one of her moods.”
“Ooh, Evil Tess has come out. Must be a full moon.” He looked up at the sky.
“Clay, did you ever do my sister?”
“Do what? Oh, Do your sister. No. Not that I wouldn’t want to, she’s smoking hot.”
Malin gave him a black look, saying nothing.
“But in a purely virginal and totally untouchable way. I’m going over there now where no one wants to murder me.”
Dellani Oakes 