Protecting the Cowgirl

Wind River Mail-Order Brides

by Martha Hutchens

A cowgirl too fierce for love. A ranger too loyal to leave. A chase that changes everything.No man wants to marry a girl who can rope and ride better than he can. Josephine McGraw has always known she’s too much for any man to love. Too outspoken. Too independent. Too stubborn. She’s happy with her place in the family, partnering with her pa in a new venture with their fine stock horses. But when her horses are stolen and she’s forced to partner up with a handsome Texas Ranger, all the girlish dreams Jo thought she’d given up spark to life.

Luke Wallace wants to settle the debt he owes Jo from a life-altering mistake he made back when he was a green deputy. He’ll do it the only way he knows how–protecting her while taking down the horse thieves she’s determined to chase after. But the more time in the saddle they spend together, the more Luke realizes Jo’s prickly exterior hides a tender heart… a heart he can’t help being captivated by.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Westerns, Horses, Christian Fiction, Historical

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Martha Hutchens writes Historical Inspirational Romance filled with hope, heart, and a touch of small-town charm. A winner of RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart® Award, she draws on her experiences as a retired homeschool mom, lifelong knitter, and former chemist to craft stories rich in faith, perseverance, and historical detail.

A self-proclaimed history nerd, Martha enjoys exploring historical sites and imagining the lives of those who walked there before her. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Ozarks, where she takes long walks with her bossy miniature poodle and dreams up new adventures.

Whether writing about 19th-century frontier life or the challenges of World War II, Martha’s stories are filled with history, heart, and a deep love of storytelling. She’s always happy to connect with readers who share her passion for faith-filled fiction and the resilience of the human spirit.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved watching Jo grow up in the Wind River Mai-Order Brides series. Really enjoyed this author's collaboration with Lacey Williams on the book A Steadfast Heart. Jo is the same girl but now all grown up - still full of spirit but also maturity. I felt for Luke who is trying so hard to get Jo's forgiveness. Definitely sparks are flying between these two - at first not good ones. The author did an amazing job of making me feel the sense of anxiety, fear, love and forgiveness. I actually thought I was right there with them especially during the intense scenes. Great ending.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming novella featuring fiercely independent and unconventional Jo McGraw, one of my favorite supporting characters from the Wind River Mail-Order Brides series. I was excited to reconnect with Jo and with lawman Luke Wallace, another secondary character, in the series. They are a perfect, though unlikely, match! I enjoyed how their romantic relationship unfolded. Even with its short length, this is a complete story packed with emotion and adventure. With a well-paced plot, wonderful characters, a classic old west backdrop, sweet romance, and a light faith thread this is an enjoyable, touching read and has my highest recommendation.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Novella!

I really enjoyed this short but sweet story of forgiveness and love in the old west. Clean, sweet, inspirational romance with just enough action and adventure to keep me reading as long as possible made it a winner. If you enjoy the same elements in a story, then check this one out!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a sweet romance wrapped in an exciting adventure!

Jo and Luke met some years before this adventure. And this is an adventure. They were young and misunderstood some of what occurred then. Their interaction when they meet up again is tainted by their skewed beliefs of the past.

I love that both got new information and grew from it.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Jo ever since she was first introduced in the Steadfast Heart book. I feel you really need to read this book first before reading Protecting the Cowgirl. The characters and situations won't make a lot of sense if you don't. Jo was a young girl in the Steadfast Heart story but now she's all grown up. She is thrilled that her father has put her in charge of transporting the fine stock horses that need to go back east to be sent to England. However, when they are stolen, she feels her father will think she's failed. Who happens to be on the train with her but the Texas Ranger, Luke Wallace who has crossed her family's path before and let them down! She is not happy about this. Luke sees it as a way to find redemption. He's going to find those horse thieves and retrieve the stolen horses to make up for the past! Oh yes, sparks will fly!
I empathized with Jo as she struggled with self-esteem. Her peers had always said she was a tomboy, and no man would ever want a woman like her. I also felt for Luke as he tried to control ever situation and tried to prove himself. These two were great together!

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, kept my attention from the beginning, even though there were so many references to story events to which I was not privy.

It dragged on a bit long, once each scene devolved into the cycle of "Event -> Luke Wallace is separated from Jo -> he worries something bad could have happened to her -> he beats himself up -> Next Event." For all his supposed ranger experience and maturation, he never gave me assurance that he could outsmart the outlaws.

Also, he is distracted by Jo way too much. I guess I was too, knowing from the cover that she's an AI-generated image. (I know that's not a fair critique of the story itself, but as I considered not reading the story because of it, I thought it worth mentioning.)

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a quick read on my device so I chose this random book I had in my Kindle library. It is a sweet, clean western, with light Christian faith elements. I enjoy historical fiction and felt like a western, so this little novella worked for me. It was evident that there is more to this story that has been written elsewhere. I thought this was a stand-a-lone, but it is not. You can probably still enjoy it on its own, but I prefer to read books that go together, together. Oh well. This is more of an "okay" book for me, but I bumped my rating up a bit because I did like it, and the few issues I had with it are not worth noting.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

1903, somewhere in Texas

Okay, you have to admit, this is a fetching cover. I was attracted to the book because of it. The fact that there’s a cowgirl in it doesn’t hurt either. But honestly, Jo wasn’t a "cowgirl", she was a horse girl. Her family bred horses to be sold to the British cavalry.

However, transporting them on a train to Boston for shipment turned out to be a tragic. On the train was Luke Wallace, a man from her past she never wanted to see again, now a Texas Ranger. He wasn’t there to protect her, but somehow it ended up that way… on multiple occasions.

Very brief novella that turned out to be a nice surprise with a mild faith inclusion throughout.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting the Cowgirl is a novella but is an interesting story of a young woman, Jo, who loves horses being trusted by her father to deliver a string of horses by rail to the east. The horses are stolen and Jo must trust Texas Ranger, Luke Wallace, who she holds a grudge against because of an encounter years ago. This book may not be long but it will grab your attention as Jo and Luke work together searching for the missing horses. I recommend Protecting the Cowgirl to others. I received a complimentary e-book. This is my honest opinion.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella of just under 100 pages. However, it is FULL of story! Jo is the daughter of horse rancher Drew McGraw. Jo lives and breathes horses, and she is an expert on all things horse. Luke Wallace is a Texas Ranger that gets reacquainted with Jo on a train, where she is travelling with a string of horses that need to get to England. Luke is chasing horse thieves. It is a very good story with excellent characters and plenty of excitement as well as Godly moments.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical Western of an independent cowgirl given the responsibility of transporting prize horses via train across the country. Meeting up with a US Marshal who brings back bad experiences from childhood when he was newly deputized, she attempts to avoid him. But rustlers stealing the horses at a stop brings them together for a common purpose. Good clean Western with a singular plot that portrays that life changes can overcome past experiences for a happy future.

[Makayla Ledingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes, I know it's terrible of me to read about the McGraw kids before even reading about their parents, but it just severed to make me more excited about wind river mail order brides. Oh my goodness, it was so sweet!! and wonderful!! and the chemistry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she did a inpeckable job of giving emotion to both of them. Jo I really felt each emotion she felt and to Luke wishing you could undo a mistake.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jo and Luke's western romance. This novella was a free download for newsletter subscribers and my first time reading this author. Writing style is fairly good and there were some faith moments towards the end. Overall I'd read her work again.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

[Donna Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

rugged, not ladlike but beautiful in her own way

Wow! Jo was quite the woman. Very in tune with the horses she trained and worked with. Luke a young deputy made some wrong decisions. He matured and worked his way back into law as a ranger. There was action, mystery and danger. Great story.

[Alyssa Amey Madjeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this novella to follow up on A Steadfast Heart, and I was excited to find out what happens to Jo as she grows up. This is short, but a fun romantic thrill ride, tying up some unresolved conflict from the original novel and finds Jo finally seeing herself as unique and lovable and extraordinary. Enjoyed her happy ever after very much.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the usual cowboy type book. It was better. Seeking to make wrongs right, apologizing and explaining went a long way Apparently the beautiful girl had a past that made her feel unloved, because she was a cowgirl. She loved the ranch , especially horses. Her courage grew thru some terrible experiences that brought her love

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One in a million.

I love reading about old friends and this is one of an ornery girl grown up into a beautiful woman. Jo remembers Luke from a misunderstanding when she was just a child and isn't sure she can forgive him and definitely not trust him. Both have misconceptions and it's fun to see them broken down in this faith filled book.

[D'anah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Jo. She is really gifted and capable. Her skill with horses is outstanding. The rest of the story is full of action. I like how it all ended up, despite all the set-backs. A nice short read. Makes you want to know more.

[Katrina]

Need to read Steadfast Heart first to understand more of this book.
This is a short book but a full story. It was alright. I have not read the Steadfast Heart so I was a little lost. I love the cover.

[Kimberly Borup · Rating 4 out of 5]

a western romance

A sweet, simple, and clean love story. Throw in train robbers, and good guys turned bad, a strong female lead, and a repentant law man and see where the story goes.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

To really appreciate this story, you need to read A Steadfast Heart first. I enjoyed getting to know Jo in that book, and this one is great with her all grown up. Lots of scary plot twists, but loved the resolution!

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

After having read the series, it was nice to see Jo all grown up and finding her happily ever after. Luke is a great guy for her. They go great together. He sees her for who she is, and she makes him a better man.

I really liked the story.

[Elizabeth Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very generous three star. I got this book for free from an author promotional sale thing, and so it’s kind of a you get what you pay for. BUT it has a lot of potential and I love when books are really open about God and faith!

[Charline Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

mistakes and misunderstandings

Years of guilt by Luke. Years of holding misplaced anger by Jo…
Can two confused people find forgiveness and God? Will they survive assaults by an unexpected foe?
Good book.

[Sue :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not what I expected.

I don't read what a book is about very often. I didn't this time. While it was a romance at the heart of it, it was so much more.
The only trigger warning is shoot 'em up cowboy stuff.
Well worth your time to read.

[MileHighSunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good novella! The characters were real, emotions true, and past misunderstandings bring a lot of light to the story.

Love how the scenery was so well described to help put you ‘in’ the story. Also enjoyed learning a few things along the way!

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful cover, quick good read

[Lori Losch · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet love story

Thanks for this little tale of love and faith. So sweet. May god bless you richly as you write more. :)

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Sweet story

[Elizabeth Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the first in the series, so I was confused for parts. But the Texas Ranger got the cowgirl in the end, so what more can you ask. ;) (Not spicy)