Sleigh Ride with Kellan: The North Avenue Live Guys, #1

By Sophia Nixs

A rugged, bearded mechanic becomes my knight in shining armor.

Traveling three hours to make my twin daughter's Christmas come true.

I never expected him.

We are the complete opposites and he infuriates me like no one else.

Love was never on the cards for me.

A blizzard holds up my plans and I end up staying the night with him.

Everything I never thought I wanted.

I thought being stranded at Christmas was the only surprise I was in for. How wrong was I?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sophia Nixs
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223338635

Book preview

Chapter One

Kellan

A re you all prepared for Christmas? Dee—my roommate and number one chief helper with my two girls—asked. You’ve seemed on edge the last few days?

I took a peep of my twin girls coloring away together at the dining room table, designing their Christmas cookies that we were planning to make later for Santa. I indicated for Dee to join me in the kitchen so that we could have some privacy.

Girls, I called to Riley and Ana. Aunty Dee and I are just going to make a drink. If you need us, just shout. I turned to enter the kitchen. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

They are good girls, Dee began, and even the social worker said that you’re doing a fantastic job in fostering them. I’m so excited that you’re taking the next step and looking at full time residency with them. Dee paused to pour us two glasses of coke, passing one to me before she spoke again. Is that what has been on your mind?

A little, I admitted. I’ve put the offer on the new house but I wanted Christmas to be perfect, I said in a whispered tone just as a text came through on my phone. I quickly read the message and looked across at the girls and then back to Dee. I could still make it perfect.

I showed Dee my phone and a massive smile graced her lips. She nodded and I could see that a plan was already starting to come together in her head as she played with her bright red locks.

Go, before the weather changes anymore. I’ll message Walker and get the night off at work. He owes me anyway. She smiled sweetly at me before she looked over at the two girls. The forecast of this snow is getting bad but I’m guessing it’s a few hours out.

Yeah, Pennsylvania. I can be back tomorrow night if I set off early enough. Liv—my sister—and Matt arrives tomorrow for the Christmas break. I’m sure after they’ve gone to find Hardin at North Avenue Live, she’ll come across to see the girls, I said nonchalantly as I seriously contemplated traveling to Maple Oaks Acres just to collect a puppy to complete my girls’ Christmas. You know Liv won’t want to be stuck with her brother-in-law, Hardin and have the two of them talking business. Dee rolled her eyes at that. Every time that Hardin and Matt got together in a room, it’s usually for them to not talk about the bars they own or what latest venture is on the cards.

I knew that the puppy would be the perfect gift to support my commitment to them both and tell them that if they wanted a forever home with me, then they could have it. Even though I was only thirty years old and people automatically questioned my life when they saw me with my four-year-olds. My girls had shown me that if you’re willing to give a little, then the rewards you reap can be huge.

I knew what the pain of rejection from the majority of my family—barring Liv—felt like and I couldn’t bear to see others go through what we did.

Kellan, just go, Dee replied before she pulled me into a hug. Go and say goodbye to the girls, she whispered into my ear, and we’ll have the time of our lives while you’re gone. Trust me.

I don’t know what I’d do without you, I said truthfully as I kissed her cheek, making her blush before I headed over toward the girls. I ran my hand over their silken blond heads before I spoke. Hey, you two. How would you like to have some special time with Aunty Dee while I go and do a job?

Yayyyy! the duo chorused together, making my heart swell. We’ll have the best time. Be careful though.

Of course, I will. You too.

I opened the driver’s door and jumped into my car after patting the hood. It was a habit of mine every time that I slid into the vehicle and went anywhere; superstitious maybe but it had never done me wrong yet. I had placed my name down on the list for one of the well-renowned puppies at Maple Oaks Acres Ranch around eight months ago, hoping that it would be plenty of time to get me the gift my girls hadn’t stopped asking for. I just never expected the list to be so long. It just so happened that due to the weather, someone had asked to be placed back on the waiting list and my name was the next one in line. I’d followed the video links that the lovely couple Mr. and Mrs. Hendley had sent me in my evenings when the girls had been asleep whenever a new litter had been born. That’s why I knew the tiny Pomeranian puppy that was left behind was the perfect addition to our household and lifestyle. I knew that a large breed would overtake our world within months of bringing them home, whereas a small breed would grow with us all. I just had to deal with a three and a half hour drive there first to collect the little ball of fluff.

The music that blared out through my speakers made the journey pass by without much problem; the only exception was that by the time I arrived after coming across a few diversions, the snow had started to fall heavier and my concern of getting in and out of the farmhouse at Maple Oaks Acres was at an all-time high. I