It was difficult for Molly to resist the urge to roll her eyes. Apparently, Cara’s the favorite tonight. “You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with being caring and sweet. There is something wrong with taking money that your daughter needs for school.”

Shifting her weight, Jane jutted out one hip, her hands still tucked into her right back pocket—guarding the keys, Molly assumed. “If Cara doesn’t have enough money for school, that’s not on me. Maybe you should be paying her more for the work she does. You know she doesn’t like this bounty-hunter nonsense. The least you can do is offer her a fair wage.”

“Stop.” The word came out with a snap that showed just how close Molly was to losing her temper. “We’re not talking about this now…or ever, really. What we are talking about is how you’re going to hand over my car keys right now.”

Still Jane hesitated, and Molly knew her mom’s mind was clicking away, trying to come up with a new plan to get what she wanted. Jane always had a plan B, and she consistently figured a dozen ways out of any trap. That was how she’d survived for almost fifty years when she’d been conning people out of money since she was old enough to bat her lashes and talk her way into getting an extra piece of candy—or, if that failed, just stealing it.

“Mom.” Molly used the firm tone that Jane had tried on her. “Keys. Now. You know I won’t hesitate to tackle you.”

Her mom’s mouth drew down in an unhappy frown. Molly tightened her jaw and didn’t lower her arm or her gaze. After a tense few seconds, Jane dug out the keys and slapped them against Molly’s extended palm.

“Thank you.” Fighting not to let her relief show, Molly fisted her fingers around the key fob and dropped her arm to her side. She didn’t move away from the door, holding her ground as her mom gave a dramatic huff and flounced into the living room—at least as much as someone wearing skintight cat-burglar gear could flounce. “Be safe,” Molly called softly from her spot in the kitchen.

Jane’s only response was to slam the front door behind her. Grimacing at the loud noise and the acrid taste the scene had left in her mouth, Molly leaned back against the garage door and waited for the inevitable sound of footsteps from the upper floor. Nails clicked against the ancient linoleum as Warrant crossed the kitchen to press against her legs. Grateful for the support, she rubbed behind his ears.

“Everything okay?” Norah was the first to pop her sleep-mussed head into the kitchen.

“Yeah.” Holding up the key fob, Molly gave it a little shake. “Just preemptively stopping some grand theft auto.”

“Mom?” Norah moved the rest of the way into the kitchen, tugging the hem of her oversize sleep shirt over her shorts. Cara and Charlie came into the kitchen just in time to hear Norah’s question and immediately turned to head back to bed, Warrant following them. He knew Cara was a sucker and would let him sleep on her bed, even though he was notorious for taking over the entire thing.