WYOMING HERO is the third and possibly last installment in the Daddy Dude Ranch series by Rebecca Winters. The Dude Ranch is an interesting concept all about giving back. Three ex-marines feel blessed that they returned from active duty while others were not as fortunate. So they decide to open their ranch up to the surviving spouse and children of the heroes of war. Quite a gallant and unselfish undertaking. Rebecca Winters has a history of writing stories that touch the heart and reveal inner strengths of her characters. And in HER WYOMING HERO we once again meet several characters who know the true meaning of grit.

Kit Wentworth sees the invitation by this group of ex- marines as a real blessing -- and one that couldn't come at a better time for herself and her son Andy. Things had been becoming more difficult for the two of them after the death of her husband Winn. Winn's parents had always been exasperatingly controlling but they had reached new heights after the death of their favorite son. Now they were intent to keep a firm handhold on their grandson Andy. The Wentworth's saw Kit as an impediment to their plans for Andy and she was desperate to prevent them from having him follow in Winn's footsteps.

Winn and Kit's marriage had all the markings of an attempt by Winn to try to loosen the hold his parents had on him and his family. But when all was said and done he was powerless to keep them from ruling with an iron fist. With Winn gone, Kit had no one in her corner and day by day she was watching her son retreat from her and candidly become an unhappy and disrespectful young boy. The Daddy Dude Ranch was to be the first step in Kit's plan to get out from under the watchful and controlling eyes of the Wentworth family. People with great riches often feel they are empowered with unyielding influence. The Wentworth's were not above using that influence to sabotage Kit's plans and bring them back home where they belonged.

Ross was assigned as the host to Kit and Andy. His job was to provide entertainment and activities that would hopefully ease the distress of this family still mourning the loss of their husband and father. It was a challenge to get through the emotional barriers erected especially by Andy. Ross could instantly recognize the signs that Andy was going through very difficult period. But the three partners in the Dude Ranch had a vision for their survivor program. Hopefully Ross would be able to breach that barrier and help Andy regain the happiness and relative stress free life of a kid.

As for Kit -- Ross was also hoping to help her gain her much needed and deserved independence from Winn's family. He was going to need the help of his partners to get that done. And in the interim make sure that he protects his own heart from becoming too close to this mother and son who have already made Ross start thinking of his own life plans and dreams.

The first two stories in this series were absolutely lovely, uplifting and heartwarming tales of how much good people can do. Military families need an abundance of support especially when the soldier does not return from duty. HER WYOMING HERO had a very different series of issues to be resolved then the first two. I applaud Rebecca Winters for keeping it unique and not a cookie cutter series. Sure the wish is for all to end better than they begin and there is no reason not to keep hope alive. Winters does a wonderful job creating some characters that quickly become real and important. So in HER WYOMING HERO as in the first two you can't help rooting for them all. None of the stories depend on each other but their characters do make an appearance.