❄ It Came Upon a Christmas Twist ❄

Here's the next Chapter everyone. 💗 I couldn't wait for y'all to read this one...and now you can. 😁 Enjoy!

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❄Chapter 3❄

Getting up before the sun rises was always a challenge for Declan. And it was especially difficult in the winter, with longer darkness hours and a frigid chill in the air. The thermostat in the guest house was set to a comfortable, and energy efficient, 69 degrees, but it felt much colder than that last night. He tried to adjust the temperature - only a little - but found it was one of those “smart thermostats” that could only be controlled through an app on one’s smartphone. That smartphone being Harper’s brother’s. Figures, he thought at the time. But no matter. I won’t be coming back here anyway. At least, he didn’t think he would be coming back. 

All dressed and ready for the day - two minutes before 7:30 - he double checked how his hair looked in the mirror by the door before stepping out. It was looking to be another sunny, below freezing day; always nice when traveling. Especially through a mountain pass.

He knocked on the door to the cabin a couple of times, checking once again to see if there was a doorbell anywhere. Since there was no answer, and he was cold, he slowly opened the door. 

“Harper?” he called out, peeking his head in from the doorway.

When he didn't get a response, he quietly stepped in and closed the door behind him.

At that moment he saw her emerge from the kitchen off to the left of the main living area. She was in her pajamas, no makeup on, hair down - looking rather attractive actually - and carrying a bowl of oatmeal in one hand and a cup of coffee in another, heading straight for the dining table. 

“Umm, what are you doing?” he asked her, a hint of frustration brewing.

Turning in surprise by his presence, she casually replied, “Uhh, eating breakfast. And who–”
“Why aren’t you dressed and ready to go?” he asked rather abruptly. “According to your orders last night, we’re supposed to be leaving right about…,” he glanced at his watch, “now.”
“Ooooh, I see,” she said with a smile, setting down her oatmeal and coffee. “You’re…Declan right?”

Declan honestly couldn’t believe this. Was she playing some kind of joke on him? Did she see online that the Pass wasn’t open after all and decided it would be fun to toy with him? Well he wasn’t amused and placed his hands on his hips. “Ha ha, real funny Harper. I’m not in the mood for this. You could’ve just told me the Pass isn’t open…”

“No, that’s not what this is, it’s–”
“And what’s the matter with your voice? Are you sick or something? Or did you have a little too much to drink last night?”

He wouldn't be surprised if she found some alcohol after yesterday's events. It was not her usual loud and commanding voice. It was…soft.
Her brow furrowed. “What? No. I-If you would just let me explain–”

“Good morning Declan!” a familiar voice chimed from the spiral staircase behind him.

Naturally Declan turned around and there was…Harper. Her hair was done up in the usual way, looking as pretty and professional as she always did, and dressed in her business attire. His brow furrowed in confusion. But how? Harper was at the dining table, he thought.

He instantly turned his gaze back towards the table, where he was met with a simple smile and a shrug.

Then he glanced back at this other Harper by the stairs. Was this a dream? Two of them!? This couldn't be real. He could feel his head starting to spin and held a hand up to his forehead to steady it. 

“I see you two have met,” Harper from the stairs spoke, stepping closer.
“Briefly,” Declan somehow managed to get out.
“Well anyway, Kinsley this is Declan, the coworker I told you about,” she quickly introduced, “and Declan this is my sister Kinsley. Apparently she’s staying here at the cabin too.” And with that she turned her attention to her cell phone.

With an embarrassed look on his face, Declan bashfully went over to the table and extended his hand towards Harper’s sister while saying with his eyes, I’m sorry… To which her’s seemed to say in return, I tried to tell you... 

Nevertheless, she smiled brightly as she shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you Declan.”

He smiled in return. “And you as well…Kinsley.”

Kinsley. What a beautiful name. Her hand felt warm and soft in his, symbolic to her personality no doubt. For a moment he just stared at her, admiring her beauty and the glow in her countenance, amazed at the exact resemblance to her sister.

After releasing her hand he turned to Harper and said, “I know you mentioned you have a sister, but you didn’t say she was your twin.”

Harper looked up from her phone and tilted her head at him in a pause. “I didn’t? Oh well,” she quickly dismissed, typing away. “It’s not something I feel I really need to be specific about. It’s kind of silly anyway. Besides, I don’t usually go out of my way to share details about my personal life with co-workers,” she ended with a snarky smirk, looking back down at her phone.
I guess not…Declan thought with a tight lipped smile.

Kinsley went ahead and sat down to eat her breakfast before it got too cold.

“Ugh! I still don’t see an update on the IDT site on whether the Pass is open or not,” Harper grumbled. “And the number they have to call on here is a bad one.” She huffed at Idaho’s poor ability to do anything right. Shoving her phone into her pocket she turned to Declan and concluded with, “We’ll just have to drive over there and find out for ourselves. We can’t miss the conference!” It started at 10am. 

Declan acknowledged with a nod. Even though he’d really rather not drive over because he had a pretty strong feeling it wasn’t open, but this was Harper’s show. It always was.
“You ready to go?”
“Yep. That’s why I’m here…”
“Alright let’s do it!” she declared, clapping her hands together and then heading for the door. “See you later Kins!”
“Bye!”
“Actually, could you give me a sec,” Declan called back to Harper, “I’ll be right there.”

Then he turned back to Kinsley.

Kinsley looked up at him with those same warm eyes and a curious smile as he approached the table, hands shifting in his pockets. He felt so embarrassed. And ashamed.

“I’m really sorry about earlier,” he expressed.
“Oh it’s ok,” she kindly assured him. “I get that a lot.”
“I’m sure!” He grinned. “I really didn’t mean to sound like such a j'er'k. Not my finest first impression…” He frowned, clutching the back of his head.

Kinsley chuckled. “Really, it’s ok. I know how overbearing my sister can be…”

He smiled, appreciating her kindness. “Thanks.”

They held each other’s gaze for a long moment within the silence of the cold, winter’s morning.

Honk, honk 

The sound made Declan’s brow shoot up, disconnecting his eyes. “Guess that’s my cue,” he said, smiling again. “I guess I’ll, uh, see ya around. Have a nice day.” And he turned for the door.

“See ya,” Kinsley softly said back. “And you too.”

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“So…Kinsley seems nice,” Declan spoke after a few minutes of silence in the car.
“Of course she is,” Harper expressed, in a tone like she felt Declan didn’t think she herself was.
But Declan knew that wasn’t true so he wasn’t encouraging it. “A little head’s up that she was staying at the cabin too would’ve been nice…”
“Well I’m sorry Declan,” came the annoyed reply. “She came in late last night and surprised me too. We haven’t seen each other in a couple of years.”
That must’ve been the flash of light outside that woke me up, he thought. Headlights.
“We got to chatting, stayed up way too late, and I crashed,” Harper continued. “Then I was in such a rush to get ready this morning that I didn’t think to text you about it.”
“It’s fine. Sorry.” 

“I called Nick, our brother, before she arrived to let him know we were staying there - which he’s totally cool with by the way. I don’t know why he didn’t mention she was coming. I guess he figured she was already there when we arrived.” She shrugged.
“So why is she visiting?” Declan couldn’t help asking.
“I’m not sure…she seemed a little dismissive about it when I asked. Said she needed to get away for a while. I dunno if that meant getting away from her job or an ex-boyfriend or what?”
So she’s single, Declan couldn’t help thinking with a cracked smile. “I can understand that,” he simply said.

Harper glanced over at him in question for a moment. “About your job? Or an ex-girlfriend?” She found herself hoping it wasn’t the first one.
“I don’t go sharing details about my personal life with my co-workers,” Declan quipped, giving her a smirk.
Harper just shook her head at him with a light grin and returned her gaze to the road. 

Then suddently she coughed rather abruptly, startling Declan, and it continued in a few forceful bouts thereafter. 

“Are you alright?” Declan eventually asked with concern.

“Yeah,” came the raspy reply. “I just have this tickle in my throat.” She gestured with her hand, before clearing it. “I think something here in the Idaho mountains is tripping up my allergies.” She reached for her water bottle in the cup holder and took a big drink.

I think the trees and vegetation here are about the same as Wyomings, Declan almost voiced, but he knew better. “Maybe. I sure hope you aren’t coming down with something.”

“Me too…”

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“An avalanche!?” Harper cried to the same road worker from before, clutching the opening of her coat to keep it tightly closed. The wind had picked up a little and Declan still couldn’t figure out why she had to get out of the car and talk to these guys in person. He was pretty sure they couldn’t either.
“Yes ma’am, it’s–”
“Miss Williams!”
The suppressed huff in the man’s breath could be seen in the frozen air. “Miss Williams…Yes. Near the base of the Pass. A relatively small one thankfully. We weren’t expecting it because it’s such a rare occurrence. But now we’re looking at two, maybe three more days before the snow is all cleared away.”
“THREE DAYS!?”
Declan facepalmed, then pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. 

“I understand your frustration. The whole city of Oakridge is frustrated too, I’m sure. But we’re going to work as quickly and safely as we can to get the road open as soon as possible.”

“But the conference!? We’re supposed to be there, it’s important!”
“Sorry miss, but that’s not happening. You might want to reach out to your superiors and let them know–”
“YOU folks should do a better job letting the public know about your road closures!” Harper snapped, with a pointed finger.

“I mean, what kind of–” Then she coughed violently.
That’s when Declan intervened. 

He gently placed his hands on Harper’s shoulders to console and guide her away from the man then said back to him, “Thank you for the information, sir. You guys stay safe out there.”
“Appreciate it, sir.”
Harper coughed again.

Once they were back in the car, Declan told Harper, “You need to relax!” Even though he knew women hate to hear that. But with her anger and the way she was coughing…
“You agree with me that they need to freaking learn how to update their website, right!?” she snipped. 

“Yes, I do,” he soothed, “but you–”

Just then Harper’s phone rang. It was her Boss. She immediately answered it.

“Hello," she started, composing herself. "......Yes, we are fully aware of that……Uh huh, okay good……No, that’s ok. My brother actually has a house not too far from here that we can stay at. With a guest house,” she added, glancing at Declan. “No it’s fine, I’m actually really glad you all decided to do that……Yes, we’ll be in touch. Thanks Greg. Bye.”
“Well?” Declan inquired.
Harper sighed, taking a sip of water first. “They decided to postpone the conference, for obvious reasons, because yeah no one who’s coming can get there right now…”
He nodded. “You’d think they’d have another road that leads to the city.”
“Right!? Greg actually mentioned that some of the local folks told them there have been talks about that for years, but nothing happens due to lack of state funds or some crap like that.”
He nodded again.
“So once the Pass is open he said they’ll let me know at what time they’ll resume the conference. And then we’ll go.”
“Sounds good.”
Harper sighed. “I’m sorry you had to get wrapped up in this Declan…,” she trailed off, lowering her head and rubbing at her forehead.
He appreciated that. “Hey, it’s fine. It’s not your fault.”
“...Yeeeah,” she softly uttered, twiddling the key fob in her hand. 

“Guess it’s back to your brother’s house then?”
“Yep.” She started the car and put it in gear.

This time around, Declan wasn’t unhappy about going back to the cabin.

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“You guys are back already?” Kinsley greeted in surprise as the two walked into the house. She was reading a book on one of the sofas by the fireplace and stood up to meet them.
“Yeah,” Declan answered, while Harper hung up her coat. He could see that Kinsley got herself dressed while they were gone and most likely flat-ironed her long, blonde hair. It looked flawless. As well as her complexion; without any makeup on it seemed. “We hit a major roadblock about halfway. Literally.”
Kinsley grinned at his remark. “So the Pass is still closed huh?”
“Yes,” Harper grumbled in response and proceeded to tell Kinsley everything, coughing a few times in between.

“So I guess we’re all gonna be hanging out here for a few days doing...whatever,” she concluded, her jaw shivering. She rubbed at her arms to warm them up.

“Are you okay?” Kinsley asked her sister with concern. “You look a little pale…” She stepped closer and placed a hand on Harper’s forehead.
“I kinda thought she was looking pale too,” Declan added.
“Oh puhleeze…,” Harper countered. “I’m fine. It’s just cold outside and my allergies are flaring up.” She sniffed. 

“It’s not allergies,” Kinsley informed, “Your head is warm. How about you sit down for a moment and I’ll take your temperature.” She proceeded to the kitchen to fetch a thermometer from the medicine cabinet.
“You really don’t have to do that Kins,” Harper called back to her, sitting herself down in the nearest seat - at the dining table. She rubbed at her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
“Geez, even you give your sister grief over the littlest things,” Declan somewhat teased.
Harper lifted her head up and gave him a sharp, unamused look.

When Kinsley returned with the thermometer and stuck it in Harper’s mouth, Declan noticed that she casually took Harper’s wrist, as if to check her pulse. He thought that was…interesting. After a minute or so, the thermometer beeped and Kinsley took it out to read the result. “Hmm, 101.3,” she informed. “Definitely not allergies.”
Harper squeezed her eyes shut and groaned into her hands. “Greeeeat. Not again. I always seem to get sick when I fly.”
Declan was sure hoping she didn’t pass anything on to him. However he learned to take Airborne before going on a plane years ago. Those commercials he saw as a kid really convinced him. “I guess it’s a good thing the conference got postponed then,” he stated, then piped up. “We should thank the avalanche!”
Harper rolled her eyes at his silly humor, while her sister giggled.

“We should get you to bed,” Kinsley suggested.
“No way! I can tough this out like I always do,” Harper declared.
“Why? There’s nothing you have to be doing right now. What you need is rest. And stressing out over the trip is not helping anything. Plus you’re most likely contagious. You’ll need to be quarantined.”
“Yes Nurse Williams,” Harper playfully mocked, then coughed again. “Ugh, I better not have COVID…”
Declan agreed.
“Hopefully it’s just a 24 hour bug,” Kinsley calmed, helping Harper up from the chair and guiding her towards the stairs. “But for now I’ll get you to bed, go pick up a COVID test and some medicine for you, and make you mom’s famous chicken noodle soup.”
Declan smiled at Kinsley’s compassionate nature.
“...Ok,” Harper consented with a bob of her head. “Mom’s noodle soup is pretty awesome.”

“Can I help with anything?” Declan asked Kinsley.
“Umm,” she started, looking over her shoulder at him, “not at the moment, but thank you Declan.” She smiled warmly.
He gave her one in return, with a nod. 

When the girls disappeared Declan swayed his arms back and forth in unison for a few seconds, thinking. I guess I’ll just hang out down here for a bit. 

He planned to just sit down on the couch and wait for Kinsley to come back down, but instead he decided to take a good look around. 

The cabin home was indeed just as warm, inviting, and relaxing as it appeared to be from the outside. Most of the walls were made, of course, with stacked logs carrying flecks of knots, with a shiny coating, that produced a forever scent of the outdoors throughout the entire home. Cedar, Declan recognized instantly, drawing in its pleasant aroma through his nostrils. The fireplace was contstructed with marble and adorned with wood of the finest craftsmanship. A warm fire crackled within it and all the furniture surrounding it was modern, yet rustic. The perfect compliment to the home's entire asthetic.

Declan couldn't help thinking how incredibly nice it would be to live in a home like this.

But what he really couldn’t stop thinking about was Kinsley; ever since he laid eyes on her. Knowing she was no longer Harper. Wasn’t Harper. A stark contrast to a pair of identical twins he had ever seen. The image of her pure and flawless face dominated his every thought. Something about her just captivated him. It wasn’t that she was just as beautiful as her sister - more so actually - but perhaps it was her demure nature, tender eyes, sincere smile, and overall countenance. She could warm your soul with just one look, and the entire room would light up brighter than the fabled Christmas star itself by her presence. 

Like right now.

He didn’t even have to see her to know she was there. His heart skipped a beat as he turned around and their eyes met again, their mouths forming into bright smiles as usual. 

“I think I convinced her to get some sleep,” Kinsley informed, coming towards him with her hands clasped behind her back and wearing a shy smile, as if nervous to speak to him.
Declan thought she looked cute doing so. “I’m glad there’s someone out there who can get her to relax,” he said with a wink. “Those of us at the office didn’t think the word 'relax' was in her vocabulary.”
Kinsley chuckled with rosy cheeks.

“So uh,” Declan began, breaking the short moment of silence. “Do you think she has COVID?”
“It's hard to tell, that’s why I’ll grab a test while grabbing the other stuff needed for the soup.”
He nodded. Thank the Lord it wasn’t as deadly as it used to be. “Should I be worried that I caught whatever it is too? I mean, we’ve been in pretty close quarters together, being in the car and all.” He added in that last part because he certainly didn’t want Kinsley assuming he was having any romantic relations with her sister.
“I dunno,” she paused, stepping closer to get a better look at him which made his heart quicken. “Do you feel feverish?”
Maybe when I’m around you… He couldn’t help thinking. She sure was gorgeous enough to awaken one in a man.

“Not at all,” he replied. “But I know everyone’s body is different.”
Kinsley’s mouth curved into that pretty smile again. “Well, if you’d like I can pick up two COVID tests?”
“Oh no, that’s alright. Thank you.” Those things were still much too expensive, he thought. “I’ll just let you know if I feel hot and we can go from there, ok?”

“Ok.” She smiled brighter now, maybe having some secret thoughts of her own about him and his comment there, before turning for the door to fetch her purse and coat. “I’m gonna go to the store now and get all that stuff.”
“Mind if I tag along?” Declan happily asked, then shuddered at his forwardness. “That is…if you don’t mind?”
Her cheeks flushed again. “No. I don’t mind.”
“Ok, great!” He grinned. “I’d sure like to get to know better the woman who looks exactly like my Boss. I’m still having a hard time believing it!”
Kinsley cracked a grin as well. “You and everyone else…”

They laughed as they headed out the door together. 

-Next Chapter coming Monday Dec 9th!-