On My Own: Book Three in the Who's Your Daddy series Read Online Free

of you if he decides to take me to court for custody. He’s JJ’s father and despite what any of us thinks, he has a right to see his son.”
    “Tell us what we should do to help, Caroline?”
    She let out her breath and finally let a smile cross her face. “I’m thinking we can do everything in three days, starting with a welcome home gathering Wednesday evening. Thursday he can address the kids in a joint assembly, and we’ll finish things off with a parade leading to the football game on Friday.”
    “Sounds like a lot of trouble,” Emanuel groused. “Especially since the man doesn’t deserve it.” A few in the crowd mumbled their assent, and Caroline glowered in Emanuel’s direction.
    “Anyone who doesn’t want to help can leave now.” She held her breath and waited for people to exit. But no one did to her relief. “Since we have that out of the way, let’s break up the work and get moving. I’ll need an estimate of costs: Dirk said he’ll cover them. Wednesday will be here before we know it. We have to make the film crew believe we’re proud of Dirk, or I’m screwed.”
    “I’ll have the signs ready,” Frank Collins, the owner of the town’s printing company offered. “Just let me know what you want on them, okay?”
    “Thanks, Frank.”
    “And I’ll get started on a menu for the party.” Mrs. Brown pulled a pen out of her towering hairstyle and snagged a piece of paper from a nearby table.
    Soon the room was humming with the sounds of people tossing ideas back and forth. Caroline visibly relaxed and flitted between groups, throwing out her suggestions. Although there was still some lingering discontent amongst the group regarding Dirk, they acknowledged that maybe they could have some fun in the process.
    “You know this is all a waste of time.” Caroline turned to face her father who had a sour look on his face. “That idiot is still going to try to take JJ. Mark my words.”
    Caroline tried to tamp down the anger attempting to rise up, and forced herself to smile at her father. “Dad, he gave me his word.”
    “Yeah, and I bet he gave you his word in the past, too. How’d that turn out?” He smirked and strode away before Caroline could answer. Please God, let my father be wrong about Dirk.
     
    Dirk’s thumb hovered over the number for his attorney in his phone’s contact list, but just like the last ten times, he couldn’t do it. Caroline said she was going to meet with the good residents of Devinne last night and let him know their decision regarding cooperating with the network. She didn’t call last night and now it was past ten in the morning. Why hadn’t she contacted him?
    He wiped away the sweat rolling down his face and arms and tossed the towel aside into a growing pile beside him. The gym in the hotel was deserted except for a couple employees who’d been instructed to leave him the hell alone. His nerves had been stretched thin by Sunday’s events. It wouldn’t take much for him to snap.
    Trying to sleep the last couple of nights had been a waste of time. Thoughts of Caroline, his sweet Caroline filled his mind every time he closed his eyes. They used to joke about the song, claiming the songwriter had been transported into the future and was singing about her. He even considered going to the university that sang “Sweet Caroline” during their game. But after everything that happened to them, he was glad he hadn’t. His memories were bad enough to handle.
    How had things fallen apart between them? One day their future l ooked so bright, the next it all went to pot. They weren’t attending the same college, but they were in the same city at least. He was well on his way to becoming one of college football’s stars and she was a top scholar in her class. Then all hell broke loose. He ended up on the other side of the country and Caroline threw his love back into his face.
    “There you are.” Monique’s stiletto heels clicked on the gym’s hardwood floor