“When I cut the branches off the tree, you can pull them out of the way.” Flynn searched until he found a chain saw, revved it up to be sure it would work, and then carried it to the cellar door. He had used chain saws before, but that night he was helping free Jackson and Nessa, and that made him feel like he was making giant steps toward his goal. He could almost feel the virtual shackles that had been holding him to a negative standard just floating away.

“Hello!” Jackson called out when they returned.

“Sit tight and stay away from the door,” Flynn yelled.

“Are y’all okay?” April hollered.

“We’re fine, and so is Tex,” Nessa yelled back.

“Hold him back away from the door, too.” Flynn started up the saw and cut away the branches.

April dragged them off to the side as he worked, and in a few minutes, they could see the door. “Now what?” she asked.

“Now I cut away the door and hope I don’t hit concrete and ruin Jackson’s saw.” Flynn put the nose of the saw down to make the first cut and carefully made a hole big enough that he thought Jackson and Nessa could crawl through. He dropped to his knees and poked his head inside. “Turn Tex loose and then y’all come on out. It’s muddy out here, so watch your step.”

“Are y’all all right? Is the shop still standing?” Jackson asked as he let go of Tex’s collar.

“We’re fine, and your house and the shop are still standing, but this big-ass tree is going to be tough to get hauled out of here,” Flynn said.

Tex came like a shot through the opening Flynn had made and ran straight to the porch. Nessa came up the stairs on her hands and knees. Flynn reached for her, but Jackson said, “I’ve got her.”

When she had a foot planted on the ground, she slipped and fell flat on her face. Flynn laughed in spite of himself—their cousin was not going to be happy about that.

“Thanks a bunch,” Jackson said when he came out of the hole behind Nessa. “Holy smoke! That’s not the pecan tree. It’s a big scrub oak, but right now, we’ve got to get Nessa cleaned up and make sure she’s not hurt.” He ripped off his T-shirt and gave it to her to wipe her face, then took her elbow to guide her to the house. “Y’all come on in. Help yourselves to a beer or anything you can find.” He led Nessa to the bathroom and turned on the water for her to take a shower.

“I closed my eyes when I fell,” she muttered. “I can see just fine.”