An Unplanned Change of Residency

Finally, under pressure through politicians the CSIRO got their wish, and Emma was granted a permanent residency. Emma asked permission to complete these tours with time off annually without pay to do that so her father’s money wouldn’t be wasted. She had five years now to do that and permission from Lenert to make quick trips to Germany once a year at her own expense. She promised to make up the hours by working overtime, but Lenert laughingly told her she was already working overtime with Ray in the labs and continuing her studies with the university as a distance learning and now sitting her examinations each semester end at the university campus itself.

Ray had observed Emma for more than a year now and was becoming convinced his sixth sense about her value to replace him eventually had not been in vain. His research assistants were beginning to value her input, and he could see she could work in a team. But being in charge was quite another story and he had to test that before her five-year commitment to the corporation had been exhausted.

In the meantime, Lenert had been watching Emma too and there were feelings developing inside him he couldn’t ignore. Anika caught him glancing at Emma at mealtimes and immediately her mother’s intuition came into play, and she resolved to encourage this. She noted sorrowfully that Emma was unaware of those looks and appeared to be totally unaware of his presence as a desired partner rather than employer. She confided in Rachel who agreed to look for opportunities to make both Lenert and Emma aware of each other and build on that interest. That opportunity presented itself the following year when the university indicated Emma had completed her studies with honours.

There was rejoicing in the research centre and Ray arranged for a celebration at a hotel in Stanthorpe where all contributed to the cost of a dinner of celebration by the research workers. Ray proudly displayed her graduation certificate for all to see, and speeches were made in her honour with humorous stories about her peculiar ways each had observed which she received with laughter and poked fun at her colleagues in her own speech of acceptance. Lenert as an invited guest watched her as she handed out her stories in response and couldn’t deny his feelings for her, now not as a worker but as a cherished part of his and his mother’s life.  But he was fearful of rejection and wondered how he could gauge her feelings for him. She’d never shown any interest in him only respect for the way he’d helped her come to this successful moment in her life.

Next day he sat in his office feeling despondent and Rachel knocked and entered his office with a list of jobs she had to consult him on and was surprised when he didn’t greet her with his usual jovial welcome. She’d been at the reception in Stanthorpe and observed him focused on Emma and her mind shifted from business to how to make Lenert aware of a need to approach Emma and declare his feelings for her. She cleared her throat to get his attention, and he slipped back to reality and became businesslike asking her to go over her concerns to see how he could be of assistance and he had some to add to the list. Emma decided to take the plunge.

“Before I get into the list of things to do there’s something that occurred to me while we were at the reception last evening Lenert. You really should have been the one to organize that event as she is your employee not Ray’s so can I suggest you ask her to a dinner to celebrate her success and show appreciation on behalf of the corporation. Just a suggestion!”

Lenert stiffened and looked at his secretary suspiciously.

“What bought that on Rachel?”

She looked back at him the picture of innocence.

“What do you mean Lenert, I just feel you should have been the one to honour her. As her corporate boss.”

Lenert understood perfectly what Rachel was up to and thought of the behind the scenes plotting his mother must have been doing with her. He rose from his chair and moved around the table standing in front of Rachel.

“Stand up Rachel.”

She stood up shaking realizing he was aware of what she was trying to do and expected him to give her marching orders from her job stammering her apologies. Instead, he threw his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead, and she stood frozen in horror wondering why Lenert was doing this. She was loyal to her husband, and he’d probably hand in his resignation over this if he came to know and they couldn’t afford to lose this job he loved. She remained frozen and Lenert unwound and returned to his seat indicating she should sit, and she sat shaking trying to comprehend. Lenert looked at her and laughed heartily.

“What a schemer you are Rachel but as you can see by that uncustomary hug and kiss, I appreciate you bringing this into the open so we can discuss it. I apologize if you found this crossing boundaries. As far as I know Emma has no interest in me and it would be devastating for me to indicate I have feelings for her and scare her off as she’s proved to be an asset to the corporation and to the CSIRO too it seems so please give me your advice now that you’ve been bold enough to say what you did.”

Rachel relaxed and decided to make light of the stress hanging in the air.

“Well firstly do I have to anticipate an obligatory hug and kiss each morning I show up for work? It was certainly nice, but I may have to ask my husband’s permission if you do.”

Lenert began to chuckle again.

“You’re safe Rachel!”

“Pity!”

She said this faking disappointment, and both began laughing and the stress of that moment evaporated. Rachel spoke.

“Have you thought of taking her to dinner one evening by yourself and making a presentation on behalf of the corporation to celebrate her successful graduation?”

Lenert thought for a few minutes and then realized they had to get on with the business of the day.

“I must go to Brisbane on regular business so why don’t I take her saying Kathy wants to discuss what to do with the balance of her father’s money face to face and I can wine and dine her there and make a presentation on behalf of the corporation in gratitude for her willingness to spend more time with us. What kind of things could I do to show my feelings without scaring her off.”

The business was put on hold for a half hour while Rachel gave Lenert a crash course on things that would get a woman’s attention and he made notes. Then they got on with the business of the day with Anika looking in every now and then to say there were people waiting for him and she had phone messages that needed attention. On the way-out Rachel whispered before leaving.

“Lenert even though you scared the daylights out of me giving me that hug and kiss you did set my heart a flutter so put that same passion into your evening out with Emma, and I think you could be a winner.”

She made signs of heart palpitation at the door before opening it and both started laughing again. She was confident Lenert would never sack her after that talk and smiled at how much power a woman has over a man. She certainly knew how to use it on her man.

Emma had looked forward to the trip to Brisbane to renew acquaintance with Kathy at the agency. They finished their business quickly and Lenert asked her if she’d been up on the Melany range as it had a fantastic view over miles of coastline on the coast when she first came to Australia and she said no. Did she like hiking? Yes, would she like to see the famous bird park. Yes? Kathy watched the interaction with a smile and offered them an overnight stay there in an upmarket hotel and arranged for a vehicle hire for a couple of days. Emma was excited at this offer but naturally curious and asked why he was doing this and he responded that it was a reward for agreeing to stay with them and thank her for the contribution she made in her stay at the orchard but above all a celebration of her success in gaining a second master’s degree. Emma relaxed at that explanation and looked forward to enjoying her time off with Lenert who she greatly admired for his kind administration.

They were sitting at a restaurant perched on top of a steep drop off to coastal plain below as the sun began to fade looking out  over the ocean in the far distance with a cruise boat at anchor in a blaze of light and lights were beginning to show themselves in the settlements along that long stretch of coastline as those settlements slowly spread to join each other in a future giant city stretching north to south. It was a beautiful evening with a developing glow from the moon reflected in the ocean. Emma sighed. This is beautiful Lenert thanks for showing this to me I feel at peace here and it’s nice to put research and study aside to just appreciate nature. They waited preparation of their meal order as they watched the beautiful scene in the distance. A waiter arrived and arranged a jar of red roses on the table and Emma paused to examine them noticing a note attached. She reached over and plucked the note to read it then turned to Lenert in surprise.

“You bought these for me tonight. They are so beautiful and this whole evening is amazing.”

 She returned to read the message and paused to read the last two words. They said love Lenert. She read it again then slowly looked up to study the man in front of her. He looked ruggedly handsome in the German fashion, and she searched his face which looked back at her with a softness she hadn’t noted as they ate together at the homestead daily. She felt a stirring in her chest and involuntarily reached across the table to grasp his hand and felt him relax grasping her hand with firmness and almost possessive. Tears began to form in her eyes as she stared at him, and he took a table napkin and wiped her eyes with his free hand. Lenert whispered words that shook her to the core.

“I can’t live without you now Emma Wagner and the greatest wish in my life is that you would accept my love and love me in return.”

That really released the tears and Emma silently wept as she thought of what Lenert had just said. The betrayal of her wedding intended flashed into her mind and screamed caution but looking at Lenert through those tears she could see safety and reliability. It was what she’d observed about him in the years spent at the orchard. Then a small whisper inside her told her it was safe to say yes so, she nodded her head while she recovered her composure.

“Lenert I could certainly come to love you and in fact I think your kindness to me tells me you really do care for me so if you want me, I’ll be yours and love you in return. But I’ll miss my beloved Germany if I make Australia my home. How will I explain this to my family.”

“Now that your visa status is cleared may I suggest we make a quick trip to Germany to seek your family blessing and then I’ll see you get to visit them once a year if they agree. Rachel’s husband could cover for me for a quick trip.”

Emma sat silently for a moment processing this startling revelation. She’d found a partner for life she could trust, and it was too good an opportunity to miss out on. She turned to Lenert as the waiter appeared and placed the first course in front of them.

“Lenert I’d like to have the wedding as soon as we return to the orchard and plans can be made. Can we buy the wedding dress in Brisbane before flying out to Toowoomba airport and taking a bus to Stanthorpe and of course, we’ll need a wedding ring so maybe we could choose that in Brisbane before we leave too. Tonight, I want to contact my parents and tell them what we’ve decided to do and tell them I’ll bring you to meet them as soon as its possible for you to get some brief time off as I want them to meet you as soon as possible.”

Lenert dismissed the waiter who was waiting for further instructions telling him he’d call him back when they were ready, so the waiter went to the side and watched diners ready to remove plates when finished along with other waiters. He stood and walked around the table to his bride to be, and she stood to receive his embrace. They stood together for a few minutes’ hearts beating rapidly and Emma whispered the food would get cold, so they returned to their chairs and consumed the food happily. Each sent text messages to friends as they waited for the dessert and Lenert asked the waiter to prepare the roses for Emma to take to her room. Soon messages were returning as each one notified of wedding plans responded. Rachel responded to each of them with congratulations and a thumbs up sign at the bottom of the message to Lenert. Anika was beside herself with joy. Her son had chosen wisely. Emma’s parents sent cautious congratulations and Emma understood their reserve. She’d phone them as soon as they returned to their respective rooms and assure them, she’d chosen wisely looking forward to introducing her husband to be as soon as they could arrange it.

They returned to Brisbane without the hike and visit to the bird park as it was now important to choose wedding necessities. Kathy arranged a visit to a bridal salon where she joined Emma as gowns were bought out one after another until Emma found the exact one, she loved but when she saw the price she drew back in shock. Kathy produced the credit card belonging to Lenert he’d entrusted to her and instructed the salon owner to pack the dress. Emma protested but Kathy assured her the wedding dress was going on her future husband’s account and not the agency.

Lenert joined them when summonsed by Kathy and she handed him back his credit card then drove them to a jeweller where Lenert insisted on first an engagement ring, he wished to place on Emma’s finger that day and Emma chose happily receiving the ring on her finger. Then they looked at the wedding rings and after some time Emma settled on one and Lenert went to the cashier to pay feeling happy at the days purchase. He’d bought a new suit for the wedding for himself while Emma was selecting her wedding dress.

They eventually arrived back at Paradise Fruit Orchard by taxi and alighted arms around each other to collect luggage. Word spread and all work seemed to grind to a halt as waves of the worker force appeared in turn to wish the couple well as they planned for a future together. Ray was particularly happy as that meant Emma could more easily be persuaded to eventually take over his role as he phased out his work in future. But there was more for her to learn, and he hoped the wedding would not take her mind off the goals he’d set. Emma asked Rachel to take charge of planning the wedding including Anika who was overjoyed her son was to be married at last. Anika realized Rachel was best equipped to plan the wedding and was happy to be included in that planning. Rachel made sure it was Emma’s wishes they worked with as the ceremony and reception were planned. Lenert was quite wealthy and let it be known that cost was no problem as they prepared. Emma opted for the construction of a large pavilion to be erected on site with the wedding and reception afterward to be conducted where the whole Paradise Fruit Orchard family could be a witness. They were her substitute family here and she wanted them to celebrate her joy with her. 

It was a grand celebration, and everyone enjoyed it immensely happy these two they loved had found each other. Emma had asked Ray to substitute for her father in giving her away and he rose to the occasion proudly even sprucing himself up with new clothes and looked very distinguished as he walked her down the aisle. When the ceremony was completed, they drove away to a secret destination travelling for several hours to where Lenert had popped the question and Emma had accepted. They only had a few days, so they did the hikes saw the bird park relived the experience in the restaurant overlooking the coast and Lenert repeated his romantic pledges while Emma melted in his embrace. Then they made the exhausting trip back to Stanthorpe by road arriving back in shorts and tank tops to the amazement of those who watched them return as they always dressed conservatively for work but then it was back to work in conservative dress and all returned to normal.

Lenert had confessed Rachel’s part is giving him courage to find a way to get Emma in a place where he could confess his love and had given her a blow-by-blow account of what had transpired during that morning. He described how terrified Rachel had been when he hugged and kissed her for getting him courage to confront his love for Emma and she’d laughed trying to imagine that meeting. She resolved to give her friend a fright over the issue and could hardly wait to get back to the orchard to do this. So, on the first morning back she went to the office and sat beside Rachel whispering.

“Rachel, I forced Lenert to confess that he’d molested you in his office and I don’t know what to do about it. I’ve made a big mistake marrying a man who molests his staff and feel I should leave him and return to Germany. But first, I want to help you make a police complaint about his behaviour for which I’m ashamed you being my closest friend here. A man like that should not be permitted to get away with such behaviour and I’m sure your husband needs to be informed too.”

Too be continued.

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