Page 64 of The Publicity Stunt

"There was a substantial payment made to make sure it was delivered today. Thank you."

The man walks away, and Kace carries the giant sack of gifts into the house. Setting it down, he opens it to find an envelope and reads the note.

"Who are those from?" Victor calls.

Hanging his head, he sighs. "Bri."

"What?"

"She sent a note saying they were bought before this shitstorm took place. She says Happy Holidays and hopes you like the gifts."

His father joins him and raises his eyebrows. "She must've bought for the whole family."

Based on her note, there's nothing for him. Not that he expected anything. They start grabbing presents, pulling them out one by one, and they quickly realize everyone has two gifts from her. Including Kace.

"She could've returned these instead of having them delivered. That's a good sign, right?" Victor asks.

Kace's stomach drops as he shakes his head. "That's not her style. Besides, I bet some of them are engraved or signed or something. Things that would make it difficult to return. Do we call everyone inside to open the second round of presents?"

"Do you want to open yours first before they all barrel inside?"

"That might not be a bad idea. If it's a glitter bomb, it's best if no one else gets hit as collateral damage."

He reaches for the larger of the two, a twelve by eighteen box, and he gasps as he opens it.

"What is it?" Victor asks.

No wonder she couldn't return them. Tears fill his eyes, as much as he hates to cry, and stares at a painting of the picture taken of Kace with his father from the game Bri flew Victor out to see. Next to them stands an older version of his mother. "Something I never thought I'd have again."

He walks up behind Kace and gasps. "How'd she do that?"

"She got a picture of Mom from my place."

Victor quickly opens one of his gifts to find a similar image but without Kace. Just Victor and his deceased wife. "Oh my God, this is the most beautiful present."

Letting out a breath, he puts the smaller box in his pocket. "I'll open the other one later. In private."

The doorbell rings again, and Victor shakes his head. "How many deliveries can we get on Christmas?"

Kace chuckles and opens the front door, slamming it quickly, seeing who stands on the porch. "Do me a favor, Dad, and take the presents outside to have the kids open them."

"Who is it?"

The doorbell rings again, and Brett shouts through the door. "Come on, Kace, let us in!"

"Just remember, if you get blood on the carpet, you're cleaning it up," Victor says and stands to carry the presents in the sack outside.

Opening the door, Kace leans against the doorframe, blocking them from stepping inside. "Did you come to ruin Christmas even more for me? Haven't you done enough?"

"We were in town, and it didn't feel right not seeing you," Brett says. "Can we come inside? I feel like a salesman."

"No."

Rudy hangs his head. "Kace, man, please?"

"It's Christmas," Victor says from behind Kace, surprising him. "Plus, it's my house."

The phrase used since Kace was a kid annoys him. One day, he's going to buy the house just so his father can't say it anymore. Well, he likes to imagine he will.

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