He could see the thoughts running behind those eyes. She was trying to make up her mind whether or not she liked him, trusted him, wanted to be around him. It would be better if she did, of course, and he could be infinitely patient. He had raised Clarissa, after all, and his darling daughter could put almost every single patient he'd ever counseled to shame.
"Yes, he did. And I understand. I'm not offended. It's always difficult trying to acclimate yourself to someone new." The first mistake that most doctors made was speaking to their patients like they were children, or worse still, like they were insane. Daniel McGaven would never do that. That was the quickest way to ensure that there was never any trust. And without any trust, there could be no healing. And of course that was precisely what he was all about.
He noticed the innuendo in her tone, the little slippage of skin, and though he did pay attention, he didn't seem to be paying it any mind. His demeanor didn't change in the slightest. He knew she was testing him. So with a cordial smile he gave her an answer he was certain she would not be expecting. "That seems like a fair enough compromise. Shall you lead the way?"