Danielle Steel: Journey

There are secrets no one tells …JOURNEY

PRAISE FOR

DANIELLE STEEL“A LITERARY PHENOMENON … and not to be pigeonholed as one who produces a predictable kind of book.” —The Detroit News “THE PLOTS OF DANIELLE STEELS NOVELS TWIST AND WEAVE as incredible stories unfold to the glee and delight of her enormous reading public.”—United Press International“Ms. Steel's fans won't be disappointed.” —The New York Times Book Review “One counts on Danielle Steel for A STORY THAT ENTERTAINS AND INFORMS.” —The Chattanooga Times “Steel writes convincingly about universal human emotions.” —Publishers Weekly “STEEL IS AT THE TOP OF HER BESTSELLING FORM.” —Houston Chronicle “FEW MODERN WRITERS CONVEY THE PATHOS OF FAMILY AND MARITAL LIFE WITH SUCH HEARTFELT EMPATHY.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer “It's nothing short of amazing that even after [dozens of] novels, Danielle Steel can still come up with a good new yarn.” —The Star-Ledger (Newark)

PRAISE FOR DANIELLE STEEL'S

JOURNEY“Steel uses her storytelling flair here … beautiful people, a glamorous setting, an evil antagonist, a dash of political intrigue and a hearty dose of social consciousness combine in AN ENTERTAINING AND EYE-OPENING STORY … it's quite a trip.” —Chicago Tribune “One of the things that keeps Danielle Steel fresh is her bent for timely storylines. In her fiftieth novel, she tackles spousal abuse, cleverly setting it in a seemingly ideal celebrity marriage … the combination of Steel's comprehensive research and her skill at creating credible characters makes for A GRIPPING READ.” —The Star-Ledger (Newark)“Steel fans will love Journey .” —Fort Worth Star-Telegram “WRITTEN WITH SENSITIVITY, WISDOM, AND COMPASSION.” —Rendezvous “Ms. Steel's many fans can settle back to enjoy the latest offering from their favorite writer.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “[Steel] executes her story with her usual smooth pacing.” —Publishers Weekly “Steel's fans will no doubt welcome her fiftieth novel and take her newest heroine, award-winning TV anchorwoman Maddy Hunter, to heart.” —BooklistA MAIN SELECTION OF

THE LITERARY GUILD

AND

THE DOUBLEDAY BOOK CLUB

Also by Danielle Steel

LEAP OF FAITH MESSAGE FROM NAM LONE EAGLE DADDY THE HOUSE ON HOPE STREET STAR THE WEDDING ZOYA IRRESISTIBLE FORCES KALEIDOSCOPE GRANNY DAN FINE THINGS BITTERSWEET WANDERLUST MIRROR IMAGE SECRETS HIS BRIGHT LIGHT: FAMILY ALBUM THE STORY OF NICK TRAINA FULL CIRCLE THE KLONE AND I CHANGES THE LONG ROAD HOME THURSTON HOUSE THE GHOST CROSSINGS SPECIAL DELIVERY ONCE IN A LIFETIME THE RANCH A PERFECT STRANGER SILENT HONOR REMEMBRANCE MALICE PALOMINO FIVE DAYS IN PARIS LOVE: POEMS LIGHTNING THE RING WINGS LOVING THE GIFT TO LOVE AGAIN ACCIDENT SUMMERS END VANISHED SEASON OF PASSION MIXED BLESSINGS THE PROMISE JEWELS NOW AND FOREVER NO GREATER LOVE PASSIONS PROMISE HEARTBEAT GOING HOME

To my children,

Beatie, Trevor, Todd, Sam,

Victoria, Vanessa, Maxx, and Zara,

who have traveled far with me,

with faith and good humor and so much love.

And to Nick,

who is safely in God's loving hands.

with all my love,

d.s.

My journey has been long. I do not regret it. At times, it has been dark, a perilous course. At other times, joyous, dappled with sunlight. It has been hard more often than easy.The road was fraught with dangers for me from the beginning, the forest thick, the mountains high, the darkness terrifying. And through it all, even in the mists, a small pinpoint of light, a tiny star to guide me.I have been both wise and foolish. I have been loved, and betrayed, and abandoned. And much to my despair, I have unwittingly wounded others, and humbly beg their forgiveness. I have forgiven those who have hurt me, as I pray they will forgive me for allowing them to hurt me. I have loved much, and given of my whole heart and soul. And even when badly wounded, have continued on the path, with faith, and hope, and even blind belief, toward love and freedom. The journey continues, easier than it has been.For those of you still lost in the darkness, may your traveling companions treat you well. May you find safe havens when you need them, and clearings in the forest. May you find cool waters where you can safely drink, quench your thirst, and bathe your wounds. And may you one day find healing.When we meet, our hands will join, and we will know each other. The light is there, waiting for us. We must each, in our own way, journey on until we find it. To reach it, we will need determination, strength and courage, gratitude and patience. And after all that, wisdom. And at journey's end, we will find ourselves, we will find peace, and the love that, until now, we have only dreamed of.May God speed you on your journey, and protect you.d.s.

“Journey”“… All my life long

Over my shoulder have I looked at peace;

And now I fain would lie in this long grass

And close my eyes.”EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

Chapter 1

THE LONG BLACK LIMOUSINE pulled up slowly, and came to a stop, in a long line of cars just like it. It was a balmy evening in early June, and two Marines stepped forward in practiced unison, as Madeleine Hunter emerged gracefully from the car in front of the east entrance to the White House. A brightly lit flag was fluttering in the summer breeze, and she smiled at one of the Marines as he saluted. She was tall and thin, in a white evening gown that draped elegantly from one shoulder. Her hair was dark and swept up in a neat French twist which showed off her long neck and single bare shoulder to perfection.

Her skin was creamy, her eyes blue, and she moved with enormous poise and grace in high-heeled silver sandals. Her eyes danced as she smiled, and stepped aside as a photographer flashed her picture. And then another, as her husband stepped out of the car and took his place beside her. Jack Hunter was powerfully built, a man of forty-five, he had made his first fortune in the course of a career in pro football, invested it brilliantly, and in time had traded and sold and bought first a radio station, then added television to it, and by forty owned one of the major cable networks. Jack Hunter had long since turned his good fortune into big business. And he was very big business.

The photographer snapped their photograph again, and then they swiftly disappeared into the White House. They made a striking couple, and had for seven years. Madeleine was thirty-four, and had been twenty-five when he discovered her in Knoxville. Her drawl had long since disappeared, as had his. Jack was from Dallas, and he spoke in powerful, clipped tones that convinced the listener instantly that he knew exactly what he was doing. He had dark eyes that pursued his quarry to all corners of the room, and he had a way of listening to several conversations at once, while still managing to seem intent on the person to whom he was speaking. There were times, people who knew him well said, when his eyes seemed to bore right through you, and other times when you felt he was about to caress you. There was something powerful and almost hypnotizing about him. Just looking at him, sleekly put together in his dinner jacket and perfectly starched shirt, his dark hair smoothly combed, he was someone one wanted to get to know and be close to.