B. M. Bower 
Ranch of the Wolverine 

In The Ranch at the Wolverine, we meet a little girl born on a lonely settlement, her only friend the grouchy old lady who lives nearby with her shiftless husband. It’s a hard life for both families as Billy Louise grows up and eventually goes away for a better education. When she returns home after the death of her father, she must take up the reins and run their little ranch. Enter, a couple of strangers who may, or may not, be friends. Adventure, danger and a beautifully detailed description of life in the Old West fill out the story, which, as with most B.M. Bower novels, has a sad/happy ending. Very enjoyable. (Amazon)