The Gift

It was America in the fifties, a simpler place, a simpler time.THC GIFT “FEW MODERN WRITERS CONVEY THE PATHOS OF FAMILY AND MARITAL LIFE WITH SUCH HEARTFELT EMPATHY …DANIELLE STEEL HAS AGAIN UPLIFTED HER READERS WHILE SKILLFULLY COMMUNICATING SOME OF LIFE'S BITTERSWEET VERITIES. WHO COULD ASK FOR A FINER GIFT THAN THAT?” —Philadelphia Inquirer

PRAISE FOR DANIELLE STEEL'S

THE GIFT“AS A DANIELLE STEEL ADMIRER, I CONSIDER THIS BOOK TO BE HER FINEST. … A quiet, unforgettable series of family portraits … a book of reality and substance, a book of moral and truth, a book of love and supreme sacrifice.”—Winter Haven News-Chief (Fla.)A TOUCHING, SWEET AND SIMPLE STORY …The Gift is a departure from Ms. Steel's usual style and shows a great deal of depth.”—The Chattanooga TimesTHE GIFT IS STEEL TO PERFECTION…. THIS IS THE AUTHOR AT HER BEST.”—Booklist“A SIMPLE, POIGNANT STORY …Steel does a wonderful job of examining relationships and emotional ties. … A refreshing step back to an era when the family was the foundation of society.”—Sault Ste. Marie News (Mich.)“Well-meaning characters, uplifting sentiments and a few moments that could make a stone weep.”—Publishers WeeklyA MAIN SELECTION OF THE LITERARY GUILD AND THE DOUBLEDAY BOOK CLUB

Books by Danielle Steel

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

To the gifts in my life, my husband, John, and all of my children, and to the angels who have passed through my life, quickly or over time, and the blessings they've brought me. With all my love,

d.s.

Chapter One

Annie Whittaker loved everything about Christmas. She loved the weather, and the trees, brightly lit on everyone's front lawn, and the Santas outlined in lights on the roofs of people's houses. She loved the carols, and waiting for Santa Claus to come, going skating and drinking hot chocolate afterwards, and stringing popcorn with her mother and sitting wide-eyed afterwards looking at how beautiful their Christmas tree was, all lit up. Her mother just let her sit there in the glow of it, her five-year-old face filled with wonder.

Elizabeth Whittaker was forty-one when Annie was born and she came as a surprise. Elizabeth had long since given up the dream of having another baby. They had tried for years before, Tommy was ten by then, and they had finally made their peace with having only one child. Tommy was a great kid, and Liz and John had always felt lucky. He played football, and baseball with the Little League, and he was the star of the ice hockey team every winter. He was a good boy, and he did everything he was supposed to do, he did well in school, was loving to them, and still there was enough mischief in him to reassure them that he was normal. He was by no means the perfect child, but he was a good boy. He had blond hair like Liz, and sharp blue eyes like his father. He had a good sense of humor and a fine mind, and after the initial shock, he seemed to adjust to the idea of having a baby sister.

And for the past five and a half years, since she'd been born, he thought the sun rose and set on Annie. She was a wispy little thing with a big grin, and a giggle that rang out in the house every time she and Tommy were together. She waited anxiously for him to come home from school every day, and then they sat eating cookies and drinking milk in the kitchen. Liz had changed to substitute teaching, instead of working full-time after Annie was born. She said she wanted to enjoy every minute of her last baby. And she had. They were together constantly.