Gator Bowl Read Free Page B

her.”
    â€œWhat about Alabaster?” I asked.
    â€œShe’ll be fine. I’ll get some fencing and make her a nice mudhole. It might not be as good as wandering around the woods, but it will have to do.”
    Uncle Saul seemed determined to ignore what had happened. Alabaster followed us to one of the outbuildings behind the cabin. I carried Crème Brûlée, despite his fussing about it. I wasn’t sure what kind of mood Alabaster was in. She may have needed to eat more than a few chickens.
    â€œI never realized a gator could move so fast,” Ollie remarked as the gator kept up with us.
    â€œWhy do you think they’re so good at killing?” Uncle Saul pushed open a coarse wood door. “They’re even faster in the water.”
    â€œHow’d you find a white one?” Ollie asked.
    â€œShe wandered up on my porch one morning. Scared the bejeezus out of me. I think she was after my chickens—I kept chickens back then. She seems to have a thing for white meat. Norman is just lucky he doesn’t keep pigs.”
    I touched his shoulder. “You know pork isn’t
really
white meat, right?”
    â€œLooks white to me.” Uncle Saul walked into the shed. “Well, here she is. I used her many times when I still had the restaurant in Mobile. We’d go out to ball games, fairs, that kind of thing. I couldn’t do much as far as food went. She’s kind of small inside. But I think she’ll work for your food truck.”
    The silver Airstream motorhome was weathered and had a few dents, but it was basically in good condition. The back end had been removed and replaced with a large door to take supplies inside. The front area had two seats with an indentation in the middle where Crème Brûlée could sleep.
    â€œI haven’t had her out of the shed in years.” Uncle Saul smoothed his large hand across the rough silver surface. “She was running when I put her in here—I don’t see any reason why she shouldn’t run now.”
    The Airstream would need a serving window cut into the side of the body. It appeared as though Uncle Saul had served food out of the back door, but he’d only used it ocasionally. But I could see the possibilities.
    â€œThis looks great. Can we try the engine?”
    Uncle Saul flipped Ollie a set of keys. “Try it out, son. Zoe, want to take a look at the kitchen?”
    I was ready for that.
    Ollie opened the back door—it almost fell off in his hands. “That might need some work.”
    I knew the engine was important, too, but I was more interested in the cooking area. I stepped inside and examined the tiny counter, sink, deep fryer, and grill. I might not need the grill, but I could replace that with a microwave. It was in bad shape. Most of it would have to be replaced. I hoped we could get some parts used to cut down on expenses.
    â€œWhat kind of food are you thinking of making, honey?” Uncle Saul asked me.
    â€œThe kind we love. Good home cooking. Definitely biscuits, since I’m good at those.”
    â€œYou certainly are!” Uncle Saul hugged me. “Are you thinking egg biscuits and such?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m searching for my signature food that every truck needs. Biscuits are my best, but there are so many people serving biscuits.”
    â€œI guess we’ll have to come up with something different that still keeps your biscuits in the menu.” He whispered, “Are you sure about this Ollie guy?”
    â€œYou know that I have your gift.” I smiled and kissed his cheek. “I always know the good ones when I see them.”
    â€œHe’s a little old for you, isn’t he?”
    â€œI don’t want to
marry
him. Really! I just gave him a ride, and he said he wanted to come with me. He seems a little lost, Uncle Saul. He might need my help.”
    â€œOh, Zoe girl—
everyone
needs