Patricia Rockwell - Essie Cobb 03 - Valentined by Patricia Rockwell Read Free Book Online Page B

said Opal forlornly.  Fay nodded. 
Marjorie was staring off into space.
    “Marjorie,” said Essie, giving her typically peppy friend a
jab, “where are you?”
    “I just remembered,” said Marjorie, turning back to the
group.  “I played cards this morning with Betsy Rollingford.”
    “That’s lovely, Marjorie,” noted Opal.  “But how does that
pertain to Essie’s secret admirer valentine?”
    “Actually,” said Marjorie, “it might pertain a lot.  I’m not
sure.  I happened to mention to the group about your valentine, Essie.  Betsy
said that she had received a valentine from a secret admirer last year.  The
way she described it, it sounded a lot like your card.”
    “Why didn’t you tell us this sooner, Marjorie?” asked Essie,
annoyed.
    “I’m sorry, but it slipped my mind,” said Marjorie.
    “Slip! Slide! Marjorie!” exclaimed Essie.  “Betsy
Rollingford?  I don’t think I know her.  What floor is she on?”
    “I don’t know,” said Marjorie, “but I know she plays Bingo. 
You can probably catch her there tonight!”
    “I hope for your sake, I do,” snorted Essie as she grabbed
her walker and headed out of the family room, leaving her three friends sitting
at the computer.
     
     
    Chapter Seven
    “One’s first love is always perfect
until one meets one’s second love.”
    —Elizabeth Aston
    Essie was waiting in the dining hall long before the
scheduled start of Bingo that night.  She wanted to make certain that she was
able to find Betsy Rollingford and have a chat with her about her secret
admirer valentine before the Bingo action commenced.  Breathing heavily, she
tapped her fingers rhythmically on her walker handlebars.
    A tall man with grey and black hair entered the room and
smiled when he saw Essie sitting alone at one of the tables.
    “Essie!” he cried.  “You’re really early for Bingo!”
    “Hello, Dave,” she replied politely.  Dave was one of the
more gregarious men at Happy Haven.  That was a polite way to put it. 
Flirtatious would be another way.  Essie might have been flattered with his
constant compliments if she hadn’t noticed that Dave Esperti tended to pour on
the flowery remarks to just about all the female residents.
    “My, Essie, you’re looking especially stunning tonight,”
Dave said as he approached.
    Essie grimaced.  She was not moved by this type of
silliness.
    “I’m here because I’m trying to track down Betsy
Rollingford,” she replied, all business.
    “Betsy?” asked Dave.  “No!  And I thought you were waiting
for me!”  He smiled and laughed flirtatiously as he moved over and took a seat
next to her. 
    “She does play Bingo, doesn’t she?”
    “Oh, yes,” replied Dave, bending in.  “She’s a regular. 
You’ve played Bingo a lot, I thought.  You’ve seen her here.”
    “Actually, I’m not sure I know who she is,” replied Essie
uncertainly.
    “I’ll point her out to you,” said Dave, “for a kiss.”  He
wiggled his bushy mustache lasciviously.  Essie tried not to gag. 
    “My kissing days are over, Dave,” she said breezily.  “I
would appreciate it if you’d point her out, though.”
    As she spoke, residents began to enter the dining hall. 
Dave moved away from Essie to a more proper distance.  He glanced over to the
entrance apparently looking for Betsy.
    “Hey, Essie,” he said while keeping his eyes on the
newcomers.  “I hear you’ve got a secret admirer.  Is that why I’m getting the
brush-off?”
    “You’re not getting the brush-off, Dave,” explained Essie. 
“No one is getting the brush-off.  I treat you as I treat all the men here at
Happy Haven.  As for the secret admirer, that’s what I want to talk to Betsy
about.   So, please, if you will, continue to be on the lookout.”
    “Ooops!” he said suddenly.  “There she is!”  He pointed at a
slight woman entering the dining hall.  Betsy Rollingford was a small, but
regal-looking woman, moving slowly