Through Thick & Thin

By Vanessa Carlson

Not much happens in and out of the small Amish town and that's just the way Sadie likes it. So when her brother is accused of murder, she's terrified.

Sadie believes her brother is innocent, but she's going to have a hard time proving it when he can't remember the events of the night himself. What looks to be a tragic accident suddenly turns into an accusation of murder with Sadie questioning both her own brother and life long friends. 

Will Sadie be able to prove her brother's innocence? Can she expose secrets in her Amish town, even those she never know existed until now?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201402112

Book preview

THROUGH THICK AND THIN

VANESSA CARLSON

table of contents

THROUGH THICK & THIN

MY AMISH VISIT

CALL OF THE AMISH

AMISH SUNSET

THE AMISH DIVIDE

AN AMISH REVIVAL

LOVINA’S HEART

Chapter 1

Life was simple for Sadie Byler and she liked it that way. Every mourning was the start of a routine and she knew exactly what to expect.

Sadie, you had better get that clothing down to the river. They are in desperate need of a washing.

I know mother. I will get to it just as soon as I am finished with my breakfast.

Sadie’s mother stood by the table with her hand on her hip like there was something more that she wanted to say.

Why don’t you join me?

Heavens! she exclaimed. I haven’t the time. Ever since your father’s passing, I’ve had to do twice the amount of work around the house. And that good for nothing brother of yours is never anywhere to be found. I fear that he dances with the devil.

He’s taking to father’s death badly. Give him some time and he will return to his usual self.

I pray it to be so. With a sigh, she eased into a nearby chair. Her face was drawn and her skin had taken a ghastly hue.

And I pray that you take better care of yourself. Father wouldn’t have wanted you to neglect yourself.

She did not answer. Her eyes had glazed over, her thoughts with her husband.

Sadie understood that their conversation was over and that it was time for her to head down to the river.

She carried the laundry basket at her hip and joined a few other women walking in the same direction. They fell into song and Sadie joined them. She wasn’t the loudest singer but she understood that God would listen even if she whispered every lyric.

Down by the river, the singing continued. It made the mundane work a bit more enjoyable.

Sadie fell into a comfortable rhythm. Laundering was something so familiar that she was confident she could complete her task, even with her eyes clothes. Testing the theory, she relied only on the muscle memory inlayed in her fingers. They worked their magic, just as she thought they would.

Ahem.

Someone was blocking out the sun. A halo of light surrounded their form.

Noah? Sadie could recognize that posture just about anywhere. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be helping your father with the horses?

He said that I could take the day and enjoy myself in any manner I see fit.

Why is it that I do not believe you?

I do not understand why. I am a most trustworthy fellow, he said with a grin. Have you ever known me to lie?

I will not damn your soul but God knows what it is that you do.

He held out his hand and waited for her to grasp it. As soon as he felt the warmth of her palm lock with his, he hoisted her from the ground. Perhaps we should take advantage of this opportunity and have ourselves a little picnic. He wicker basket seemed to materialize out of thin air.

There is work to be done. My mother expects this laundry —

She can wait a little while longer. She is dressed, is she not?

She is.

Then we do not risk her nakedness by delaying this task.

Sadie bit her bottom lip for she did not like the thought of neglecting her duties. She was a diligent woman and she did not appreciate Noah’s dastardly influence. Her mother had warned her time and time again that such a boy would be nothing but trouble.

And yet, Sadie could not stay away from the man. He has this irresistible aura that always managed to reel her in like a fish caught on a hook. 

A picnic, you say?

Mhm. And I packed your favorite.

Sadie responded by raising an eyebrow in question. And how would you know what my favorite is?

Because when you speak, I listen.

Then enlighten me. What is my favorite?

Marmalade.

Just hearing the word was enough to make her mouth water.

Come on, live a little, he whispered, lips nearly brushing against her earlobe. God will not strike you down for enjoying yourself just this once. I can promise you.

A shiver ran through her spine and paralyzed her into place. Her heartbeat quickened to a terrifying pace. It seemed hellbent on bursting right through her chest. Forgetting how to breathe, she looked up and saw the sincerity in Noah’s eyes. Perhaps he was right. A little bit of fun would not kill her.

Okay, she agreed at last. Let us see this picnic of yours.

I promise that you will not be disappointed.

***

Sadie felt like she could fly into the clouds. Spending the day with Noah had made her feel weightless. With each passing minute, she felt dismayed that it would all come to an end. She prayed for a manner in which to stop time.

But her prayers fell on deaf ears.

I hope you enjoyed yourself today. Noah tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Certainly, I can imagine it was better than laundering clothes all day.

My mother will kill me for this.

He stepped forward so their bodies were just a few inches apart. Was it worth it?

Sadie was just about to answer that question when the door to her home swung open. Her mother looked deranged, eyes red and hair wild.

Mother?

They’ve taken him! She threw her arms into the air. They’ve taken him!

Who?

Your brother. They’ve taken him away!

Sadie grabbed the hysterical woman by the shoulders and waited until she was calm enough to speak coherently. Tell me what is going on.

The police were here. They came knocking on the door and they told me that your brother had murdered someone.

"Murdered? Sadie felt herself choking on the word. No, that can’t be right. Jackson would never murder someone. There has to be some sort of misunderstanding."

That is what I told them but they did not listen. They took him away... And I fear that he might never return.

No, mother. I will make sure of it. My brother is innocent. And I will do whatever it takes to clear his good name. Mark my words or so help me God.

Chapter 2

I can give you a ride into town, said Noah. My father will be more than willing to lend out a couple of his horses after he hears what has happened.

Please, Sadie’s mother begged. I do not know what they are doing to my boy... She broke down into a fitful sob before ever finishing her sentence. Just the thought of her son’s predicament was enough to get her stomach-churning.

Sadie helped the frantic woman to a nearby chair. I want you to stay here and rest yourself. Jackson will be fine.

I am being punished... She hung her head in her hands and rocked back and forth. For what, I do not know but God is surely punishing me. First Leon and now Jackson...

God is not punishing you, said Sadie as she rested a hand on her mother’s shoulder. It is said that God works in mysterious ways. We must only have faith that he does right by us. But her words fell on deaf ears for her mother was no longer listening.

Come, we should go before it gets too late, Noah took her by the wrist and led her through the door.

My head feels like it’s going to explode, she mumbled to herself.

Just try to keep a clear state of mind. Worrying about your brother will only make you sick and then you’ll be of no use to him.

Noah was right. Sadie took his words to heart and kept her head up high and her shoulders rolled back as she followed him to the other side of the community. It was where all the major livestock lived. The smell was horrendous on warm summer days but the set up made it easier for the farmers to work together.

Stay here, he instructed, leaving her in front of the barn. I must go speak with my father.

Sadie watched him go. A chill seeped into her bones as soon as he was gone. Perhaps her brother was innocent but someone wasn’t. She hugged herself and looked around like she half expected the real murderer to jump out from the shadows and slice her throat.

She gulped and backed into the barn until she could feel the firmness of its structure. She leaned against it and focused on her breathing.

Her blood rushed through her veins and echoed inside her eardrums, making it hard to hear. But with a tilt of her head to the left, she was just able to make out the sound of mumbled speech. What they were saying was impossible to tell but she understood that it had something to do with her brother’s situation.

Curiosity got the better of her and despite her own judgment, she tiptoed toward the sound. She made her way behind the leather worker’s shop and found herself confronted with a crowd of people. They were gathered together in a tight circle as if protecting whatever was there in the middle.

She made her way to the front and what she saw nearly made her sick. The prophet’s son was lying face down on the ground. There was blood everywhere. His head had been flattened like a flapjack.

Sadie held her hands to her mouth, a silent scream trapped at the back of her throat.

Who could have done something like this? asked a nearby woman. And to the prophet’s son, no less.

They say it was the Byler boy, someone whispered in response. I’ve seen him take the devil’s drink more than once. It was only a matter of time before the devil took his hold.

Jackson did not do this! Sadie shouted before she could think to stop herself. The whole congregation fell silent, staring in her direction. My brother would never do something so heinous. He is a good man.

No one sad a word.

Sadie had her hands balled into fists so tight that her knuckles were a deep shade of white.

You have to believe me... Jackson would never do something like this... But as she continued to stare at the body, seedlings of doubt infiltrated her mind. She started to consider all the times her brother had taken up the buggy while intoxicated. He had never managed to hurt anyone but it was truly only a matter of time before he did. She could almost hear the words of her late father warning him against alcohol but Jackson had seemed incapable of learning from his mistakes. Had this incident been one mistake gone too far?

Ma’am, a deep voice caught her attention.

She looked up and saw a police officer standing there with a notepad in his hand. It has come to my attention that you are related to the suspect.

Suspect? The word felt like a slap to my face. Jackson is my brother, yes, but he did not do this. Despite her doubts, she stood firm in the defense of her brother. She was not going to let him go up in flames. He’s innocent.

We’ll let the court of law decide. The officer’s tone made it sound like Jackson was already convicted of the crime. And to help with that, I’d let to get a statement from you. Tell me, do you know where he was this afternoon?

I...

Perhaps it might be better if we go down to the station.

Sadie shook her head but the officer took her by the arm, about to drag her towards the cruiser. It will only be a moment of your time.

I’m afraid she’s coming with me. Noah appeared just in the nick of time. We will follow you in our carriage and cooperate with whatever it is that you want from us.

The officer rolled his eyes. It would be much faster if we went by cruiser.

Carriage or we go nowhere at all. Noah wrapped his arm around Sadie’s waist. It caused a stir in the group but Sadie did not care about their judgment for the strength of his embrace was enough to give her the courage she so desperately needed.

Carriage or we go nowhere at all, she repeated.

Fine, the officer conceded. But let’s get a move on or we won’t get there until morning.

Chapter 3

Thank you. Sadie rested her hand on top of Noah’s and managed a slight smile of gratitude. Your support means a lot to me.

Jackson is like a brother to me, he answered. And perhaps one day, he will be.

Sadie’s heart skipped a beat when’s eh interpreted his words. Do you mean...?

Yes. His horses were well trained