Within an hour, they received a message that Samantha was returning home.
Maximilian stared at the notification for a moment before looking at Catherine. Considering how drunk Samantha had sounded, and how passionately opposed she had been to the idea of going home, he found himself genuinely curious.
"So... how did Bobby convince Samantha to return?"
Catherine looked up from the suitcase she was packing.
"He smoked."
Maximilian raised an eyebrow.
"He smoked?"
"A brisket," Catherine clarified. "He's smoking a brisket, and of course, the whole family would return for Bobby's brisket. It's the rule in the Preston family. When Bobby smokes a brisket, we return."
She said it with such seriousness that Maximilian waited for the punchline.
None came.
Instead, Catherine continued folding clothes and placing them neatly into her luggage.
"And maybe we can get you some proper pairs of jeans, matching boots, and a few hats, Professor."
Maximilian stared at her.
She was serious.
