Bridging Two Hearts (Heartsong Presents) - Softcover

Ule, Michelle

4.16

25 ratings by Goodreads

9780373486458: Bridging Two Hearts (Heartsong Presents)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0373486456 ISBN 13: 9780373486458

Publisher: Love Inspired Heartsong Presents, 2013

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

A new massage therapist at the Hotel Del Coronado, Amy Cantrell is thrilled to work at the luxurious resort, knowing it could open the right doors for her future as a physical therapist. There's only one problem. The easiest way to get to the Del is over Coronado Bridge, and Amy is terrified of bridges.

Josh Murphy is a Navy SEAL—and he's not afraid of anything. When he finds Amy cowering on a bus seat praying her way across Coronado Bridge, his attempts to make light of the situation only make matters worse. Amy despises him, but Josh can't understand why Amy is so afraid of an inanimate object.

Despite reservations about getting involved because of his job, Josh sets out to help Amy overcome her fear...then confronts a surprising fear of his own.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Michelle Ule likes to write stories fashioned out of her life’s experiences and interests–historical research, military life, family issues, music and irony. She loves to laugh. A graduate of UCLA, Michelle married a career naval officer, traveled the world, raised four children and became a genealogist. Michelle has led Bible studies for 30 years and is a 25 year veteran of crisis pregnancy center ministries. She lives in northern California with her family.

Of course Josh Murphy saw the girl as soon as he climbed on the airport bus. Who could miss a babe like her? Big brown eyes, honey blond hair, cute little figure; but what caught his attention was her hands. They shook despite the death grip on the seat in front of her.

Was this a damsel in distress, or what?

Pete nudged him in the back with a green duffel bag. "Hey, Doc, get on board."

"Right." Josh eased his bag down the aisle and took a seat in front of the girl. Pete and Flip flung their duffels on the other side of the bus and sat down.

The bus door slid shut with a hiss, locking out the salty ocean air. "You sailors going to NAB?" the bus driver asked as he checked his mirror and pulled onto the highway in front of San Diego's Lindbergh Field Airport.

His teammates turned to Josh.

"Yeah, take us to the Naval Amphibious Base. We need to check in."

The bus driver shook his head. "Good luck. You guys need it in your job."

Josh grinned as he looked out the window at the palm trees lining the blue sun-kissed bay. San Diego sparkled in the June morning. He felt relieved to be out of the Gulf Coast's muggy air and thankful to be alive after the tight spot his team had been in. He glanced across the aisle. Flip had tugged his ball cap over his face and leaned back as if to nap.

"Hiya, Princess." Pete noticed the girl sitting behind Josh.

"Hi," she said, her shoulders rigid and face tense. "I don't usually talk to strangers."

"We're not strangers; we're America's saviors."

"You can't save me from this one." Her lower lip trembled.

"Hey, Doc, tell her what we are." Pete flexed his generous biceps.

"Doc?" Her chin rose and her face brightened. "Are you a doctor?"

"I'm a navy corpsman. My name's Josh. Are you a doctor?"

She clenched her trembling hands into her lap. "I'm Amy. And no, I'm not a doctor, I'm a massage therapist hoping to become a physical therapist. I like to ease people's pain."

Just looking at her was helping him. "It's satisfying to see someone get better, isn't it?"

"Absolutely. People come in hurting and after one hour with me they're relaxed and happy. I love my job."

Pete rolled his shoulders and rotated his neck. "I've been sitting on a plane all night, I could use some muscle rubbing."

She showed the shadow of a pixie smile. "My job's a little more sophisticated than that."

"Where do you work?" Josh stretched his arm across the rough plastic back of his seat.

"I've been at San Diego State's athletic center, but I just started working over there." She jerked her head to the right.

Josh saw the busy harbor full of military and luxury boats, the curving flat bridge and the Coronado shoreline. "On the island?"

"At the Hotel Del Coronado. I can hardly believe it."

"That's where we're headed," Pete said. "Home to Coronado."

Josh ignored him. "What can't you believe?"

"I got a job at the Del. It's one of the fanciest resorts in America. Did you ever see the old movie Some Like It Hot?" "With Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe? Sure. Hilarious."

"It took place at the Del. I'm thrilled to work there."

"So, what's the problem?"

She swallowed so hard it felt painful to watch. "The bridge."

He shrugged. "So?"

"Doesn't anything scare you?"

Pete laughed. "No. We like people to be afraid of us."

Amy stared. "I don't understand."

Pete thrust out his chest. "We blow things up, like James Bond."

"Really?" she squeaked.

Josh scowled at his roommate. "Only to defend our country from the bad guys."

Amy frowned. "So in addition to being afraid of the bridge, I should be afraid of you?"

The bus stopped to admit three teenage boys with boogie boards and two plump women dressed in white uniforms.

Josh focused on the boogie boards. "How have the waves been this week on Coronado?"

"I don't know about the waves, but the beach in front of the Del is terrific."

The bridge loomed as they passed Petco Park. Josh wondered if the Padres were in town. "You like baseball?"

Amy stared at the on-ramp.

Josh rapped on the window beside her head. "Don't look at it. It's just a roadway over water, no big deal. It doesn't even have towers. Relax"

"You don't understand." Her voice sounded shaky. "I prayed about the ride, but I'm still terrified."

Pete punched his arm. "Hey, Doc, help the lady out. Get on your knees and pray."

"There's nothing to worry about." Josh put humor in his voice. "We're trained divers. If the bus falls off the bridge, we'll save you."

"You're not the slightest bit funny. You don't understand at all." She shuddered.

How could anyone be so frightened by a mere road? Sure, it went high in the air, but the bus wouldn't fall off. What was her problem? "Listen, if you're a praying woman, it shouldn't matter what happens. If you get to the other side, great; if you die, you get to be with Jesus. I call that a win-win."

Was a tear slipping out of her clamped-shut eyes?

"I love this view," Pete said.

Amy whimpered.

Josh couldn't control his hand any more than he had his words. He touched her arm. "It's going to be okay." Warmth suddenly ran through his chest.

She opened her eyes. "What did you do?"

Josh put up his hands in surrender. "Nothing."

"Did you feel something when you touched me?" She leaned forward.

"I apologize. I shouldn't have touched your arm without asking. But look. You're over the bridge."

She slumped against the seat and turned her head away. As the bus rode down Orange Avenue's business district, Josh tried to think of something to wipe away her misery. When they reached her stop at the entrance to the 1887 white Victorian hotel, she brushed past the men, head down. But when she got to the front she paused and stared back at Josh, one long appealing look that tore at his heart.

And then she got off the bus.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.