Gator Bowl Read Online Free Page A

something?” he asked.
    â€œYeah.” Uncle Saul smiled. “I need a distributor and some wires, maybe spark plugs, for an Airstream motorhome.”
    â€œI’ll check to see if we have that. Have you got the model and year?”
    Uncle Saul handed him a piece of paper that had all the information on it. Then we waited while the man looked to see what he had.
    Three of the men who’d been in the store when we got there hung around, staring at us. Ollie kind of puffed up, folding his arms across his chest, looking mean and tough. He obviously didn’t like people staring at him.
    â€œHeard that gator of yours ate more of Norman’s chickens this morning.” One man grinned as he said it.
    Uncle Saul turned to him. “It happens sometimes.”
    â€œNot if it’s a pair of boots.” The obnoxious man laughed and nudged his friend with his elbow.
    â€œYou realize how rare a white alligator is, don’t you?” Uncle Saul tried to explain his attachment to Alabaster. “There are only about a dozen albino alligators in the world.”
    The obnoxious man’s friend turned serious. “Yeah, well, Norman’s chickens were a prize-winning breed, too. I think that gator of yours went too far.”
    The parts man behind the counter returned as the men were having a staring contest. “Take it outside. There’s not enough room in here for a fight.”
    Uncle Saul turned back to him. “I have no intention of fighting anyone.” He took the parts that were in boxes. “How much do I owe you?”
    â€œLet me take care of that.” I stepped up. “I don’t want you to pay to fix the Airstream for me.”
    â€œI’ll take care of things and we’ll settle up later, Zoe.” Uncle Saul paid the parts man and we left the store.
    But the hecklers inside followed us to my Prius. I’d left all the windows open for Crème Brûlée, who was happily napping in the backseat. I just wanted to get in my car and drive away, but that wasn’t happening.
    Heckler number one said, “I hear the game warden is taking that gator into custody.”
    â€œYeah,” the second heckler added. “Maybe we’ll have us a gator hunt.”
    Uncle Saul ignored them and got in the car. Ollie glared at the men, who were half his size. The hecklers didn’t back down. I was deciding if I should pull him into the car to get away or leave without him.
    Finally, he jerked his head forward and made a loud barking sound that sent the other two men back a pace or two. Apparently satisfied, he got in the backseat.
    â€œDo you have
any
friends here, Saul?” Ollie asked.
    â€œOne or two. They’ll be over for dinner tonight. Not everyone in Farmville has a thing against Alabaster. Those two are friends of Norman’s.”
    I drove carefully back to Uncle Saul’s cabin, thinking this may not have been the best time for a visit. I knew it wasn’t unusual for my uncle to have trouble with Alabaster. He always seemed to take it in stride so I mostly ignored it. But being right here in the middle of it was different. I wasn’t sure if Crème Brûlée and I were safe.
    My fears were heightened when we got back to the cabin and Norman was waiting with Officer Smith and a woman in uniform. We got out of the Prius. I held Crème Brûlée in my arms for his sake as well as my own security. He purred a little and nipped my finger before he licked it and snuggled against me.
    â€œNow we’ll see what’s gonna happen to that gator of yours, Saul.” Norman’s face was a mass of deeply tanned wrinkles as he grinned.
    The woman in the brown uniform, a wildlife officer stepped forward with her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry, Saul. I’ll have to take Alabaster with me until this dispute is settled.”

Chapter Three
    Bonnie Tuttle was the wildlife officer for the area. She was tall and