Barbara's new home, Avenger Field near Sweetwater, Texas, 70 miles north of San Antonio, had the same look and weather as the Mohave, California desert country she had come from. It was easy for her to get used to temperatures that rarely dipped below 100 degrees and often were higher, arid open spaces, and wind that blew up dust storms.
Not an easy place for most of the WFTDs, they were nonethe-less proud to be at the only all-female Army air base in America and the only one in the country's entire history. Among the new arrivals to learn to fly was a beautiful dark-haired model from California who looked familiar to Barbara and the others. It wasn't long before they recognized her. Exotic-looking Nedra Harrison had posed as the Dragon Lady for Milton Caniff's popular comic strip, "Terry and the Pirates."
Barbara knew who could have posed for teenage Terry's friend and mentor, Pat Ryan, a very handsome soldier of fortune in China, especially with his shirt ripped off by some Jap.
Stephen! she lamented more often she would admit to herself, wishing she were with him, or he with her. Why do you have to be married? What can you possibly have to tell me about your marriage that would make any difference? Our relationship is hopeless. Even if it wasn't, why do we have to disagree so much on such important things like how to make a man of Tim?