Hah. I didn't know there was a sequel coming, either. I was really excited that she trusted us to connect the dots for ourselves; I googled the shootout and mentally fanficked what came next. The ultimate in showing-not-telling--tell the first part of the story so well that you don't need to bother with the second half at all, thus freeing yourself to give us more Mildred. I was actually kind of disappointed when I heard about the sequel. Then I came to my senses and remembered that this is Emma Bull; if she wants to tell me a story, I'll buy the hardcover without even looking at the flap copy (which is what I did for Territory. Want, glom, have...)