“It’ll be set up as a first lien on the Scottsdale deed, held by my trust at three percent interest.”

“You could just hand me the cash, Mom,” Daniel said.

“I’ve got two luxury listings coming on the market in January.

I can handle the debt on my own if you give me a capital cushion.”

“Not one dollar of cash is going into your account, Daniel,” I said.

“And you won’t be moving your furniture into this house.”

Renee came out onto the porch behind him, holding her leather planner under her arm like a shield.

“Where are we supposed to go if the housing market doesn’t bounce back by spring?”