The canvas sneakers, jeans, and coffee-colored coat enveloping Eleanor's slender figure were her trademark. The girl with greenish-gray eyes from the outskirts of Helena, that's how most people referred to Eleanor. Pure beauty, a cheerful and determined character, and hardworking. The residents around Prickly Pear Valley knew the girl well. Especially because most of the wheat fields around there belonged to the Caldwell family, and Eleanor was their only child. This made the girl famous in the small village. That's why, to convey her offer to the Turner family, Eleanor went far to a place where it was unlikely anyone would recognize her. She knew gossip would spread quickly if people in the village found out she was speaking with representatives from the Turner family.
"Eleanor Caldwell?"
The baritone voice Eleanor heard made the brown-haired girl turn. Her eyes immediately locked onto the tall figure of the man sitting right beside her. With a faint smile, Eleanor stood up, extending her hand to him. "Yes. Jonathan Abbe Turner?" Eleanor asked back. Feeling unlikely that the man with such a handsome face was Jonathan. The man's age was far above hers. It was possible that he already had wrinkles between his eyes. While the man in front of her still looked very fresh and... very handsome.
The man returned Eleanor's handshake. His face remained flat. "Yes. I came here immediately, canceling a few schedules because Chad Caldwell said you urgently wanted to meet."
Eleanor chuckled softly. Sitting back down on a tall wooden chair in front of a bar. Occasionally stealing glances at the man. Surprised by the fact that Jonathan Abbe Turner still looked so young and handsome compared to men his age. Ah, no. Wasn't mature men always charming?
"That's right, there's something important I need to tell you directly," Eleanor said later. Jonathan's thick eyebrow raised. He squinted at Eleanor curiously. "I don't like your idea and Dad's to have our marriage solely to get heirs for the Turner family," Eleanor said, speaking up. Jonathan nodded, but didn't say anything, as if giving Eleanor a chance to explain her situation further. "But I admit, my family has no other choice. We're cornered."
Eleanor paused her speech. Taking a breath, filling her lungs to the fullest, then exhaling slowly. "So I decided to accept this marriage," Eleanor concluded firmly. Her determined gaze convinced Jonathan that she was very determined. "But I want to ask for a few things."
Jonathan straightened his back. "What is it?" he asked.
"First, I want you to get Franklyn Adam," Eleanor said seriously.
"Hasn't your father reported Franklyn to the police?"
"What do you expect from our police, Sir? They are slow and Franklyn won't get the punishment he deserves," Eleanor said logically. "I know, the Turner family can do better."
Jonathan stared straight at Eleanor for a few seconds. Whatever the man was thinking, it didn't take long before he nodded. Agreeing to Eleanor's first condition without much thought. "Okay. Anything else?"
"I want to live in a different place from your first wife," Eleanor said. The girl sighed. "Well, you know, when the first and second wives live in the same place, there will surely be a lot of chaos. I don't like fuss."
"Lizzy is not the type to fuss about trivial matters," Jonathan immediately objected. Eleanor gave a thin smile, understanding if Jonathan felt a little offended. "She is a gentle and generous woman. She will treat you well."
Eleanor shrugged. Leaning forward on the table. "No matter how good a woman is, no one will ever truly accept polygamy. You should know that well."
"You know, I only marry you to get heirs."
Chuckling softly, Eleanor gave Jonathan an incredulous look. "You really don't understand women," she said. Then she raised both hands in front of her face, surrendering. "Fine. It's not my fault if your relationship with your first wife changes someday, okay?"
Jonathan didn't say anything else. Eleanor didn't intend to discuss further either. The girl moved on to the next point. "How long will we be married?" she asked to the point. "I mean, well, we both know that this marriage happens because you need heirs. I don't need to know why you are so desperate to have children when you can spend time alone with your wife without being bothered by a child. So surely our marriage won't last forever, right?"
"I need two or three children from you. But I know the price of a life is very high. Even the price of your entire family's wheat fields is not comparable to the baby you will give," Jonathan said. He paused for a moment. "So, for each subsequent child, I will provide other compensation."
Eleanor was stunned for a moment. Her heart suddenly throbbed with pain. Somehow this conversation felt like a business transaction, and what they were talking about was a child! A child she would bear from her womb. Eleanor shuddered slightly. She wasn't sure why she felt like a villain now.
"What if there are problems in the middle of our marriage?" Eleanor asked logically. "Or if either you or I don't intend to continue the marriage for one reason or another? Or if I don't want to have children again?"

Jonathan listened to Eleanor's questions one by one. Then after that, he chuckled softly. "That's too far, Ele," Jonathan concluded. When he mentioned her name, Eleanor felt a strange sensation that suddenly emerged out of nowhere. "For now, the most important thing is that we get married and have a child. It doesn't matter if in the future you don't want to continue the marriage and don't want to have children again from me. One heir is enough for me. Although, having many children has always been my dream."
"Then, why do we have to get married? Can't we have children without having to have a bond? Isn't that easier? We don't need to prepare marriage documents. We don't need to invite a priest. We don't need to have a wedding party—if you intend to do it."
Jonathan was silent for a moment. He looked at Eleanor's face intently, until Eleanor felt somewhat uncomfortable, as if she were being scrutinized by his sharp gaze. "Although Turnerhail has a somewhat 'bad' image," Jonathan emphasized his words, "but I'm quite religious, especially my father, just so you know. Of course, I don't want to have children from relationships outside of marriage. My father wouldn't consider them legitimate heirs."
Eleanor contemplated Jonathan's words. Then a few seconds later, the girl nodded. "Okay. I understand your reasons. Then, when do we start getting married?"
Ah, shit! Eleanor felt a bit bitter discussing marriage so easily like this. In the past, she thought she would marry properly. Even though not as rich as Jonathan Abbe Turner, at least she loved that man and that man loved her too. Marriage would be thrilling, nervous, and exciting for them. But the reality now, she was discussing marriage as if discussing business matters.
"As soon as possible. Maybe this week?"
Jonathan's answer was quite surprising. After all, who prepares a wedding in such a short time? But then she remembered who she was dealing with. Let alone this week, Eleanor even believed the wedding could take place tomorrow or today because Jonathan was part of the Turner family. And also, this wedding might not be something very important that they needed to prepare thoroughly. The wedding they were planning now was only to get heirs for the Turner family. Nothing more.
"Alright. I'll inform my father," Eleanor replied. As if there was no point in negotiating further. Perhaps indeed, the sooner the better. Eleanor herself wasn't sure if she would still stand by her decision if she had to wait too long.
***