“My blue boots are fine,” Sadie said, her soft voice sinking even lower.

“I found them under the back porch steps right where I dropped them last night.”

“Did you leave your winter boots outside under the porch, honey?” Colleen asked, her smile going tight at the corners.

“I put the blue paper envelope inside my right boot before Dad turned the deadbolt,” Sadie said, staring straight down at her plate.

“I didn’t want the bank paper getting wet in the snow while I waited for Mrs.

Bennett.”