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slightly itchy at the whole situation.
    “Where should I put our things?” he asked, trying to take care of the only thing currently in his control.
    “The servants will take it,” Bob said, barely looking.
    “I want to,” Hercules said.
    Hera looked at him, pleading with her eyes for him to let it go, so he did.
    “All right,” he said, letting go of his duffle bag. “Never mind.”
    Bob studied him intently for a moment and then kept walking toward the kitchen.
    When they got there, it was wide and open with bay windows looking out on an immense garden so bright sunlight streamed over them as they sat at a white table in a kitchen shimmering with pale granite and stainless steel appliances. Despite the ornate, old-fashioned appearance outside, they seemed to keep it modern inside.
    Hercules was still staring around at it when May set a plate in front of him.
    He waited until everyone was served, grace was said, and the others had started to eat before he dug in. It was prime rib and just exactly what he needed after the long day of travel. He exhaled as he tucked in and then felt Hera’s hand on his arm.
    “Dad asked you something.”
    His head snapped up. He must have been in his own little world not to hear.
    “We haven’t seen or heard of you until recently, yet you’ve been dating my daughter for two full years. A little disrespectful, don’t you think?”
    Hercules lowered his fork and faced the other man openly. “I think whatever Valerie wants to do in regards to her family is whatever I want to do. So maybe you should ask her, sir.”
    Bob’s face went blank, and then he looked at his wife and laughed. “Well, that answers that.”
    His wife hit him on the arm. “Serves you right, Bob, asking something like that their first night here. Speaking of which, we didn’t know if you’d want separate or shared rooms.”
    “Separate,” Bob and Herc snapped at the same time. Everyone at the table looked a little confused.
    “I just think it’s more appropriate while visiting family,” Herc said. But he couldn’t help but notice Hera looked a little disappointed.
    That was interesting. Had she been expecting something between them? As far as he understood it, it was just a mission, something he had to do while remaining professional. But this was the first time he had a sneaking suspicion there was more to the story.
    Hera shrugged with a sigh. “Outvoted. All right, then. Separate. Will he be in the upstairs guest room?”
    “Of course,” Bob said.
    “Only the best for your fiancé,” May said.
    Hercules nearly choked on his beef but then swallowed. Hera’s fiancé. Just the thought of it was enough to stop his heart. He didn’t know if it was in a good way or a bad way. Everything had been confusing since she’d walked into his life again.
    “Well,” Bob said, “regardless, we’re glad to have you.” When his wife nudged him, he looked up guiltily. “And we’re sorry about the guests we’ve invited. We did it not knowing what Val’s situation was.” He scratched his head. “We just want the best for her, want her to have opportunities.”
    “And I told you I didn’t want opportunities,” Hera muttered, and Herc could sense the tension in the room. So had Hera never even considered another suitor? And why? With her looks and background and personality, she could be with anyone she wanted.
    But then she looked at him, and as his heart skipped a beat, he wondered if he already knew the reason.
    “And now we know it’s because she had you,” May said, looking between her husband and daughter in a manner desperate to reestablish peace. “So it’s all good and now we can get to know you.” She leaned forward. “How about we hear your proposal story?”
    Bob cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed by the route things had taken. He seemed to know he had stepped out of line. “Let’s let them get settled in, dear. They’ll have a lot to deal with tomorrow.”
    “Exactly who