Justifiable Fear

By Jennifer Kidd

After finding love and happiness with Samantha in Burying the Past, David Brooks deals with the turmoil he suffers while making sure that history does not repeat itself. As he fights with his anxiety issues about losing his new wife and their newborn children, David gets involved in things that he shouldnt and soon realizes that his fears from the past are justified. When tragedy hits, David finally snaps. The rage he had been building up since the murder of his first family boils to the surface and changes David forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456739669

Jennifer Kidd

Jennifer Kidd, the author of Burying the Past, brings you the anticipated sequel, Justifiable Fear. She is a native Floridian, but now lives in Tennessee. She welcomes visitors and messages at her website, www.jenniferkidd.net.

Book preview

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Preface

Why do I feel like I can’t get enough of you? David whispered passionately into the hair of his new bride after another evening of love making.

Samantha giggled into David’s chest as she laid there with his strong arms wrapped around her tightly. I’m glad you feel that way. she whispered, raising her head to look into his eyes. Because we have the rest of our lives a head of us, and I would hate for you to get bored of me.

David put on her favorite sideways smile. Never, he said before pulling her up so her face would be close to his. We will be together until we’re old and gray. Nothing and no one will ever separate us. That is my promise to you, Mrs. Brooks.

David stomach twisted after declaring his promise to Samantha. He briefly remembered saying similar words to his first wife, Marie, years before she was brutally murdered. This time will be different, he thought suddenly, never again will I allow anyone to take away what is most precious to me.

David? Samantha asked quietly, noticing his tight set jaw as he looked at the wall beyond her, and that he was squeezing her a bit too tight.

David quickly snapped out of his thoughts and released her from his overpowering embrace. He then moved his eyes back to hers. I promise, he whispered with great fervor before putting both hands on Samantha’s face and kissing her with all the passion he possessed.

Chapter 1

David and Samantha floated through their first weeks of marriage on a cloud of bliss, love making, and seclusion. Although it was difficult, they did manage to stay on track with the responsibilities of everyday life. Work and school, however, was the only time they were seen by anyone.

Every evening after work, ending another agonizing day of being apart, they would spend all their time together. Samantha was always the first to make it home. As soon as she came through the door each day she tossed her purse and her keys on the dining room table, and with an excitement radiating from her every pore, she would run up the stairs so she could be ready for when David came home. Once showered and primped, she went down to the kitchen to cook their dinner.

On this one particular evening, in early May, Samantha stood in the kitchen tending to a pan of chicken she was frying. She didn’t realize that David was standing behind her because she hadn’t heard him come in. He was careful to be quiet. He smiled when he was sure she hadn’t heard him. He stared at her from behind, laughing to himself because of her clothing choice. She had on a thin white camisole that didn’t quite reach the waist of her perfectly fitting jeans, showing the small of her back. She knew that would drive me crazy, he thought with a sideways smile forming at his lips. He quietly put his things down and walked up behind her, putting his hands on her waist.

Huh! she gasped. You scared me! she laughed, moving the pan from the hot surface and turning off the stove.

Sorry, he mumbled into her hair.

Turning around to face him, she planned to give him a hard time about what he had done, but when she saw the smile on his face and looked into his eyes she held her smile. You’re forgiven.

David wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and then kissed her. Without breaking the kiss, Samantha unlatched his work belt, which held his gun, and placed it on the counter. She continued to undress him as he began to walk her backward to the stairs that led to their bedroom. Once they reached the stairs he bent down, putting one arm under her knee, and lifted her up and carried her to the top.

After temporarily extinguishing the passion they had been carrying with them throughout the day, Samantha went down stairs to save the abandoned meal she was cooking. After making each of them a plate of food she was on her way back up the stairs when she suddenly remembered something. She set the plates down on the dining room table and reached over to grab her purse. She opened it and pulled out a small white bag containing something she had purchased on her way home from work. She wrapped the bag tightly around the small item and put it in her pocket before picking up the plates and heading up the stairs to enjoy dinner in bed with David.

The next morning Samantha was woken up early by the sound of her new husband getting ready for work. This being Friday she didn’t have to get up for work, and she was on a break from school, so normally she would have rolled over and gone back to sleep, but she was suddenly reminded of the item she put in her pants pocket the night before.

Now wide awake, Samantha hopped out of bed, grabbed the item, and hurried to the bathroom. She didn’t say a word to David. Once inside, she closed the door and followed the instructions on the package. When she was through she waited in silence. The instructions said to wait five minutes, but between her impatience and the painful knot in her stomach she decided to just go ahead and look after a minute and twenty seconds.

Plus sign…hmm…didn’t really think it would be so soon. Samantha rubbed her forehead. No, I probably didn’t wait long enough. Maybe the plus sign fades away when it’s ready, she whispered, leaning against the wall as she stared at the pregnancy test in her hand. She set the small device back on the window ledge and waited another agonizing minute before picking it up again.

Oh…now it’s even clearer.

David knocked on the door. Sam, are you talking to me?

Uh…no.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I’ll be right out.

A few minutes later Samantha opened the door and slowly walked out.

What’s up, Sweetheart? David asked, as he tucked in the shirt of his neatly pressed police uniform. When she didn’t answer right away he turned in her direction. He noticed she looked stunned and that she was holding something in her hand. What is it?

She stared at him for a moment and then smiled. I’m pregnant.

David froze in place. It didn’t take long for the news to really hit him. When it did he hurried over to her and picked her up off of the ground, hugging her tight. I can’t believe it, he joyfully whispered in her ear.

Yeah, neither can I, Samantha nervously laughed. We haven’t even celebrated our two month anniversary yet, and here I am…pregnant. She let out another delirious laugh as she thought about how little prepared she was to have a baby.

David set her down and put both of his hands on her face. He noticed that she seemed to be a bit uneasy about the quickness of the situation. He gave her a reassuring smile. "I didn’t think it was possible to be any happier than I already was.

Her face relaxed from his words. Are you happy?

His smile grew bigger as he looked into her worried eyes. I’m happier than I know how to explain, Sam. After a moment he grabbed her shoulders, not being able to contain his excitement for another second. We’re going to have a baby!

His excitement consumed her as well. I know! She screamed and threw her arms around his neck.

After David left for work, Samantha called her doctor’s office to make an appointment. She was happy to learn that they had an opening that afternoon because of a cancellation. At the appointment, the nurse quickly confirmed that Samantha was pregnant and went on to schedule her next few necessary appointments. She also gave her a list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for her pregnancy, and some paperwork on ‘What to expect when you’re pregnant.’

On her way home, Samantha decided she wanted to wait until she and David were together to tell their parents the good news, but she was so excited that she had to tell someone. She headed to her friend and co-worker Amy’s house. When she knocked on the door she discovered that she was not home so she decided to see Katie, another friend that she worked with at Mango’s.

Katie quickly answered when Samantha knocked on the door.

Samantha, you never come over! What’s up?

Samantha smiled big and then shouted, I’m pregnant!

Katie laughed with delight and then hugged Samantha before telling her to come in. They both sat down at her kitchen table so they could talk.

When did you find out? Katie asked.

This morning before David left for work.

Was he excited?

More than excited, actually.

I’m happy for you, Sam. I remember the first time you saw David in the restaurant. Who would of thought you two would be married and getting ready to have a baby?

Samantha laughed. Yeah, no kidding. Hey, I went by Amy’s house on the way here, but she wasn’t home. Do you know where she is?

No, she’s never around on the weekends anymore. We used to hang out all the time on our days off. I don’t know what she’s up to. She doesn‘t even answer her phone anymore. Katie winked at Samantha. I think she’s hiding a boyfriend.

Really? Why would she do that?

Katie shrugged her shoulders. I don’t know. Maybe she just doesn’t want anyone to meet him.

Have you asked her about it?

Yeah, she said she didn’t, but the way she answered made me wonder if she was lying.

That’s interesting. Should I ask her?

You can, but maybe we should just let her tell us when she’s ready. Katie smiled. Maybe it’s a bad biker guy she’s hanging with and she’s leading a double life or something.

Yeah right, it‘s probably something else altogether. I’ll just tell her on Monday.

When Katie stood up to get something off of the counter Samantha noticed what she was wearing. It was a skimpy bikini covered with a sheer wrap. She grinned. What are you doing today?

Katie smiled in return. I have a date today.

Oh yeah, with who?

A guy I met at the beach last weekend. He should be here any minute.

I hope you have fun.

Katie winked. I plan to.

You’re so bad, Samantha laughed as she stood up. I leave you to your date. I have to get going anyway. You can tell me all about it on Monday.

You know I will. Katie agreed as she walked Samantha to the front door. Tell David I said congratulations.

I will, thanks.

Later on that night, Samantha was making dinner when David came home from work. She heard him put his keys on the counter and said hello to him, but she didn’t turn around because she was in the process of putting something into the oven. He didn’t say anything, he waited for her to finish before scooping her up in his arms.

Samantha let out a surprised laugh. What are you doing?

He smiled as he carried her to the couch. I haven’t been able to get you off of my mind all day. I practically ran out the door when the clock struck five.

She smiled as he gently laid her down. He put his hand on the side of her face and began to kiss her.

David, we’re going to burn the house down, she muttered against his lips without a lot of concern in her voice.

He moved his lips to the side of her neck and whispered, Who cares.

She didn’t. She was to busy enjoying the way it felt when he kissed her that way.

Chapter 2

Samantha was eight months pregnant when she and David purchased their own home. It was a cute little house in the center of a quiet subdivision. Life was good for them. He was doing well at his new job with Monroe County Sheriff‘s office. Samantha was to pregnant to work, and hadn’t gone back to school since she finished the last semester. They decided it would be a good idea for her to put it off until she had the baby. They were expecting a girl. David was beside himself with joy.

The only problem Samantha was having was that David was so worried about her all the time, and he wouldn’t let her do anything. Doris and Henry were practically hired by him in her last month of pregnancy to check up on her every day. They made sure she had meals already prepared for when she was hungry and for David when he came home from work. Her mother did all the laundry and the basic house cleaning while Henry was busy maintaining their yard, setting up all the new baby furniture, and just fixing all the little things David hadn’t had a chance to get around to doing on their new home. They were told to not let Samantha lift a finger.

One night, when David came home from work, she decided to tell him what she thought about it.

David, I’m bored, she complained. "I want to take care of the housework. I want to cook for us. I want to do something!"

He smiled at her as he leaned against the doorway that led into the living room from the kitchen. She was sitting on the couch.

Fine then, come over here, he challenged.

Samantha put her hands behind her as she squirmed her way to the edge of the soft couch cushion. She slid from side to side and eventually inched her butt up to the edge. With a whole lot of effort she managed to stand up.

David laughed of course, and said, Sweetheart, you can barely stand up on your own. It makes me feel better when you let us take care of you. Please just give me this one thing. You’ll have the baby soon, and then you can do whatever you want.

He walked over to Samantha and put his arms around her humongous waist. He had to lean down to kiss her, which was not easy considering all the space her enormous stomach took up.

Fine, you win. I just can’t wait to have this baby and get it over with… She gasped, not able to finish her sentence. She was hit with a horribly sharp pain.

Sam, what’s wrong? David asked, with panic in his voice.

Samantha was bent forward, pain and surprise across her face. I’m not sure, but I think it’s time.

Time for the baby?

The pain hit her again and she let out a sound that was almost like a scream, but not quite.

David panicked. Oh my God! Wait here I’m getting the car.

David! Samantha yelled after him as he started to run out of the house.

He peaked his head back in. What?

Why don’t you take me with you to the car. It’s not like you can pull it up to the front door.

Oh…right.

David came back to her side and slowly walked Samantha to the car. Once she was in he hurried back into the house to get the bag she had packed for this moment. He was back in the car in seconds with her things. He squealed his tires as he backed out of the driveway. David drove very fast to the hospital and Samantha had to remind him more than once that they were not in the police car and the other cars on the road did not know they were having an emergency.

When they pulled up to the hospital David ran around to Samantha’s side of the car and carefully helped her out. As they began to walk inside she stopped.

What is it, Sam? he panted.

I don’t know.

At that moment a rush of fluid ran down her legs and onto the concrete. She looked up at David, starting to feel a little panicked herself.

He smiled deliriously and said, Don’t worry, your water broke. Let’s hurry up and get you inside.

After a few seconds a nurse had a wheelchair brought over to Samantha. As they wheeled her down the hall she reminded David to call their parents.

Hello, Henry answered.

DAD!

David? Why are you shouting?

Dad, Samantha’s having the baby!

Holy cow! Henry turned his head away from the phone to yell for Doris and then put his attention back on David. We’ll be right over.

I’ll see you soon.

David hung up the phone as they were putting Samantha into her bed. She was breathing very heavily as she had another contraction.

How are you doing? David asked, with sympathetic eyes.

Well, it hurts David! It hurts pretty damn bad if you really want to know! she explained as she tightly gripped the hospital bed.

David tried not to laugh at her anger. Of course, he didn’t think it was funny, he was just so excited he couldn’t contain himself. His beautiful wife was about to have their child, a baby girl. He couldn’t wait to hold her and kiss her brand new face.

A couple of minutes after her contraction subsided a nurse came in to see how dilated she was. The nurse told Samantha it would be quite a bit longer before she could have an epidural. Samantha was not happy about this news.

When Doris and Henry walked through the door, Doris ran over to Samantha and hugged her.

"I love you mom, but whatever you do, don’t touch me!" Samantha said, pushing her away.

David and Henry looked at each other and bit their lips to keep from laughing.

Sorry, I’m just so happy for you and David.

"I’m sorry too. I’m not trying to be mean, but this really hurts!" Samantha said as another contraction began.

I know it does, you were a big baby Samantha, Doris said with one eyebrow raised. I was in labor for thirty-two hours with you.

Samantha started to cry. Do you really think it will take that long?

I don’t know, Sam, Doris said, sitting next to her on the bed. We’ll just have to wait and see. But no need to worry, you’re surrounded by people who love you. Everything will be fine. Remember, the pain is just a moment in time, soon you‘ll have your daughter in your arms.

Thanks Mom.

A couple of hours later Samantha’s contractions were very close together. They called the nurse in to let her know.

Will I have to wait much longer to get something for this pain? Samantha asked, breathing heavily.

No, you’re about ready. I need whoever is staying to put these on. She had a blue hospital pullover in her hand. And the rest of you need to wait outside.

David hugged his father and Doris as they walked out of the room. They both kissed Samantha’s forehead and told her they loved her. David put on what the nurse handed him.

Samantha and David had already discussed that he would be the one in the room while she had the baby. She told him she wanted him to stand by her head and hold her hand, that she didn’t want him to actually be down there watching. That was fine by him. However, she didn’t prepare him for having to watch them put that epidural in her back. He thought that was sort of disturbing, but he just clinched his jaw together and pretended like nothing was bothering him. He was surprised by how squeamish he was about this considering his line of work. He had to remind himself that she was the one it was happening to.

The nurse called for the doctor when she felt Samantha was fully dilated and ready to have the baby. When the doctor settled down in front of Samantha he did an assessment of the positioning of the baby. He was able to feel the top of the baby’s head, but he noticed something unusual. He wasn’t worried, though, because he had seen this type of thing before. However, since he wasn’t absolutely positive that his hunch was correct, he refrained from mentioning it to Samantha.

Samantha performed beautifully. She pushed when the doctor told her to even though she didn’t have the strength, and she refrained from pushing when she was told despite the constant urge. David tried to comfort her. He had great sympathy for her because he knew she was exhausted.

Finally, the doctor said, Here she comes.

David watched as the doctor pull out their tiny new baby. The doctor gave her a smack on the backside and she let out a loud scream. David was having trouble seeing her because of the tears that had welled up in his eyes. He thanked God for giving him a second chance, for allowing him to have a family again.

David looked down at Samantha. She had the most beautiful glowing smile on her face. She looked up at him and he kissed her.

You did amazing, Samantha. I’m so proud of you.

Can I hold her?

Suddenly they noticed as the nurses and the doctor became frantic. They couldn’t understand why. They could see the baby, and she was fine.

The nurse yelled, Something is wrong!

We have to go in now! The doctor said loudly, as he pulled a curtain around Samantha’s stomach.

What’s going on? David yelled hysterically. Samantha was looking at him with terror in her eyes. He could tell she was waiting for him to tell her everything was all right, but he had no idea what was happening.

Another nurse that wasn’t working on her came over to them and said, There’s another baby, twins. It’s suffocating in the birth canal. We have to go in and try to save the baby.

David was speechless. He felt himself slipping into shock. His face felt hot and he started to see lights dancing in his peripheral vision. This was happening to him not because of the news of the unexpected twin, but because they were going to cut up his wife. They were going in to get the baby. He was immediately frightened and all he could think was, What if they don’t survive?

Samantha broke him of his troubled thoughts by calling his name. He looked over at her.

David, I’m scared.

He made himself focus completely on Samantha. He couldn’t worry about anything else. She was frightened and he had to be strong for her. Everything is going to be fine. I love you and I won’t leave you. I’ll be here the whole time, I promise.

A nurse stood with them as they worked on her. The curtain was up so they couldn’t see what was going on. David held Samantha’s hand tightly. He was relieved that she didn’t seem to be in any pain, but she did have a look of terror on her face by the situation at hand.

We got him, they heard the doctor say loudly. Then they heard the cry of the second baby.

David kissed Samantha hard, then he asked the nurse next to him, Does this mean my wife is going to be fine, too?

I’m not the doctor, but she looks good to me, she assured him. She smiled as she put her hand on David’s shoulder before walking away.

They still couldn’t see anything with the curtain up. David could have left her side to see the baby, but he didn’t want to leave her for a second. He knew they would have plenty of time to hold their children, and that they would do it together.

After a little while the nurse that aided the doctor brought their baby to them. It was a boy. Samantha was very tired so David held the baby and put him down by her.

The doctor was still working on Samantha, so David asked one of the nurses if she could pass the news on to their parents that Samantha would be fine.