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On the next morning, Clarity arrives at the Phoenix in an excellent mood. The sky is blue, the sun shines, the little birds sing, outside… and inside her. Today, everything looks beautiful to her, nothing and no one could disturb her joyful mood.

All her stupid doubts and insecurities about those odd phone calls on the day before have been wiped away by her wonderful man's possessive but tender hands, his honest eyes, warm smile, by his powerful body and loving heart. It had been…



The glass of milk she was handling absently and that she's just dropped doesn't break but attracts unwanted attention on her and she can't help blushing, once more, as if those people, men mostly at that time of the day, could read her intimate thoughts.

Paul winks knowingly at her; she sends him back an embarrassed smile. But the look that Max sends at her from above his open newspaper and his spectacles is less friendly and understanding. His message is not too hard to get, so she hurries to clean her mess and get herself back to work, trying to pay now more attention. Yet, just before turning to the shelves behind her, she thinks she can see a little smile on her boss' lips, right after he has dramatically rolled his eyes and shaken his head at her stupid love-sickness.

No, nothing can put any shadow on her good mood.

Not even that other odd phone conversation with the police station this morning. As soon as John had left -she hasn't understood exactly what it was about, but knows all she needs to know: it's about work, it's important and will keep him busy and away from the office... and unfortunately from her, during the whole day- she's decided she would take advantage of his absence to prepare a little surprise for him, something he would enjoy. Hopefully. She wants so hard to make him happy!

So, before leaving to her own work, she had called his co-workers at the station to invite them to dinner on next week. She knows that he shares with most of them more than a job, that they are more than just co-workers to him. She also knows that when he was alone, he had been invited by one or the other more than once and never could return the invitation. So she thinks he would be happy to do so now... now that he's not alone anymore... and that someone can help him with this.

The problem is that the person who answered her call was again that annoying Miss Regulations. But she must have been briefed by Harriet since yesterday because, instead of withholding information, she felt obligated to tell her right away that sheriff Biebe wasn't there again today, having taken a day off. Well, of course he wasn't there, had thought Clarity then, that's precisely the reason why she was calling this time, except that he had not taken a day off! Harriet was right, this girl was obviously not very good at her job, mixing up a day off with a very important mission away from the office. She was lucky indeed that John hadn't sent her to Calico, or Bodie! Yet.

Before she could correct that inaccurate information, Clarity heard Harriet take the phone from the other woman's hands. When she started to speak to Clarity, she sounded embarrassed, probably by the new employee's wrong information, although she didn't mention anything about it. But Harriet's obvious delight at Clarity's invitation immediately brought back a smile on Clarity's face. After all, everyone can make mistakes and must learn a new job, some just need more time than others, that's all.

The big smile was still on her face when she hung up, Harriet having told her that she would spread the word and that she'd better be prepared to welcome a full house of guests, no one certainly wanting to miss a party at John's house.

Still on her little cloud while pedaling to the Phoenix...



... and feeling in a planning mood, she had also decided that, instead of staying alone and missing John who usually did his best to join her each time he could during her break, she would use that time to go to East and Egan's place, take the bull by the horn… or rather the horses by the ears, and asks them if they would let her use some of their fields to put a few hives there, for a rent of course… and as much honey as they would like. What did she risk asking? That East would say no because he didn't want to see her too often in their property after what she had done to him? She had to take that risk if she wanted to lead her life instead of leaving life leads her. She hadn't talked to John about that yet but was sure he wouldn't mind. As for her business in Luberon... she would have to take care of that too. Later.

It also came to her mind that she might have a chance to say hello to that Drover she's seen a few times at the Phoenix but never really had any chance to talk to him then. She has heard that he's now working with East and Egan. He oddly looks like Logan and wonders if he is as charming as him.


Now the Phoenix is really starting to be very busy and Paul and Clarity are running everywhere.

"Uma is even later than usually. I hope she's okay and will show up soon.. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes when Max notices she's late" whispers Clarity to Paul while taking the tray of drinks he has just prepared for her customers.

Up to no good? Let me think... hmmm, she's probably making Max's platinum card turn white hot, don't you think? Dragging Ann from one shoe shop to another?

Whoever her shopping victim is, I feel for her. At least, I hope Uma is having fun!

"Ma… Maximus? The vineyard? This… evening?"

[She was not supposed to work this evening indeed and was already enjoying the idea of spending a quiet time… or not so quiet with John, depending how tired he would be after that long day away. But a bus of French tourists had spent the day at the beach and Max Skinner kind of hoped they would come and have dinner or at least drinks at the Phoenix on the evening, and asked her to stay longer, knowing that French people generally barely speak any other language. Having spent more time than she had planned at East's place and, as a result, having used a longer break that she should have, she couldn't say no to Max.

Maybe it's those same tourists that are visiting Maximus' vineyard this evening, and they won't come at the Phoenix after all?

Anyway, for once Maximus asks her something, she can't disappoint him. She's always had a soft spot for that noble man, like every woman she knows, even if he still impresses her. Besides, it's not like him to be so insistent, he must really be in trouble.]

"Well, I have a little problem with this evening, but don't worry Maximus, I'm not going to let you down. I'll find a solution, you can count on my support indeed."

[He thanks her, they set a time and hang up. She has given her word to Maximus, she must now hurry to find a way to help him.]

"Paul…?

Paul my savior! You speak French don't you? Enough to take care of those French customers the boss believes we'll have this evening? No? Ah. That's too bad… I hoped… Oh, then maybe you would agree to go help Maximus who is in great need of an extra hand this evening? Stop smiling that way, I mean he needs help with customers, in his vineyard! He said he would pay very well... and come on, I know you have a crush on him!

Please say yes…"

"Wow! You really look gorgeous… no, let me take that back… you ARE gorgeous!!! Those customers, men and women, can only fall in love with you… and lucky you will get plenty of tips. Hey, maybe you'll even get a proposal!" [She laughs] "Don't you dare say yes, Jeff would be so upset and I would have to comfort him… although I can think of thousands of worse things to do than comforting Jeff!

Come here, let me help you with this tie. Seriously, thank you so much, Maximus will be so relieved to see you, he sounded really stressed.

You know, your French is very good, not as rusty as you thought. Maybe you could stay here with our French customers after all, and I'd go help Maximus?

Hey, don't make that face, I was kidding! You're so obviously happy to go spend the evening with the General, I wouldn't spoil your fun." [And maybe, she thinks, if those French customers don't show up at the Phoenix, she'll get her 'quiet' evening with John after all? She smiles broadly and kisses Paul's cheek.] "Merci Paul, you're a true friend."

Uma!!!! What's going on? You okay?

Oh, it's only that? Hey, hey, hey, calm down, sit down and breathe deep… there, deeeeep breath. It isn't worth getting in such a state, it's only business, you know. You scared me and made it sound as if someone's life was at stake! I understand it's important but don't worry, Paul is a very resourceful guy, and he will do everything to make the General and his guests happy. You know him, he gets out of every situation, even the oddest ones. And I found out that his French is quite good! Don't worry, he will be fine, everything's going to be fine.

It's too late anyway, I'm very busy here too and can't just leave now. And… between you and me… I kind of hope that John will come and pick me up at the end of the day… if he doesn't come back too late from his business trip.

Something with a boring and ugly old detective in San Francisco… you know the kind! I picture him with a big moustache and a beer belly. [She laughs and turns to fill the customers' glasses, not noticing that Uma, her, is far from laughing.]

But… now that I think of it… how do you know about Maximus' guests? You know, Max has been waiting for you here all evening long, and he didn't look too happy. It's not my business but, as your friend… well, maybe it's better if he doesn't know that you were at Maximus' place during all that time?

Don't worry, my lips are sealed.