Where There’s Hope by Marianne Rice

Hope Windward’s life in Crystal Cove, Maine is comfortable, if not predictable. The small town has always been her safe haven, until Cameron Smithfield—the man who killed her daughter’s father—shows up. Now the stranger she’s hated from afar is working to become the town’s favorite citizen.
Cameron Smithfield’s life went horribly wrong the night he killed his brother in a car accident. After a decade in prison, he’s ready to make amends and do everything he can for his niece. There’s only one problem with his plan, he can’t seem to get past her mother’s protective instincts. While he’s not surprised by Hope’s guard dog instincts, he is surprised at the connection he feels with his brother’s old flame.
Hope doesn’t want to feel anything for Cameron, but his heart-melting smile and genuine affection for her daughter have a way of breaking through her carefully guarded emotions. That is, until her worst fear comes true, and all fingers point to Cameron. Now, Hope has to decide if she’s going to believe the evidence, or trust the newfound love within her heart.