Chapter TwelveMrs. Harridan banged out Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring on the out-of-tune piano in the hospital’s cavernous gymnasium that doubled as a chapel on Sundays. Periodic wrong notes peppered her rendition, and Irwin winced. After the kitchen matron heard about Rochelle’s engagement to him, the woman insisted she be allowed to play for the wedding. It’d seemed like a generous offer at the time. Not exactly the experience he wanted for Rochelle.
Surrounded by vases of sweet-smelling wildflowers, he pressed his hand against his middle to quell the rising nausea, and Father, who’d agreed to be his best man, patted his shoulder. Once he received the telephone call about the wedding, he and Earnest sprang into action. They’d managed to secure a dress for Rochelle, food for the gues
