Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Truth Comes Out

Sunday morning. The phone rings at 6 AM. Granddaddy. "Come to the house," he says. "Now." I dress in five minutes and drive up to the main house. Cash is already there—his truck in the drive, Biscuit sitting on the porch like he owns the place. Granddaddy is in the family room. Standing by the fireplace. Looking at the portrait of Ezekiel Cooper. "Sit down," he says. "Both of you." We sit. "I owe you both an explanation," Granddaddy says. "About the feud. About why I put that gate up. About why the Coopers and the McCallisters haven't spoken in forty years." Cash's jaw tightens. "Your granddaddy and I were best friends," Granddaddy says, looking at Cash. "Best man at each other's weddings. Our kids grew up together. We ranched side by side for twenty years." "What happened?" Cash asks. His voice is flat. Controlled. The voice of a man who's been told a version of this story that made the Coopers the villains. "A misunderstanding." Granddaddy's voice is heavy. "Jack's wife, Diane, and I—we had a conversation at the Feed Store. About cattle prices. That was it. But Eleanor—your grandmother, Sutton—saw us and jumped to conclusions. Told Jack. Jack flew off the handle. And I was too proud to explain myself." The room is silent. "Forty years," Granddaddy says. "Forty years of silence over a conversation about cattle prices." Cash stares at him. "That's what this was about? That's the feud? That's why my granddaddy died without ever speaking to you again?" "I tried to explain. Three times. Jack wouldn't listen." Granddaddy's voice breaks, just slightly. "He was the most stubborn man I ever knew. Except maybe me." "Except maybe you," Cash repeats. "I'm sorry, son. I know that doesn't fix anything. But I'm sorry." Cash is quiet for…