Soon after encountering Julia Wainwright, Mack became attracted to the feisty lawyer. It was Julia who proved Mack's innocence when Ilsa, a jealous employee at the health club, tried to frame him for stealing a customer's earrings. Still, Mack and Julia were never anything more than friends.

Later, Mack and Gina were surprised when their mother, Phyllis Blake, came to town and moved in with Gina. Unlike Phyllis, Mack had good morals that he tried to pass on to Gina. He especially disapproved of Gina's affair with D.A. Ethan Asher, who was married to her long-time friend Laura. Mack was somewhat attracted to Laura, but she went crazy and burned down Gina's mansion to get back at her rival. As a result, Mack was forced to share his trailer with his now-homeless family.

Meanwhile, Mack got a job working with horses at the polo club. He had his head turned by various other women in town, including Augusta Lockridge. He then had an affair and fell in love with Gretchen, the wife of a powerful man named Harland Richards. Gretchen wanted her husband dead and tried to persuade Mack to kill Harland, letting him believe that Harland was physically abusive of her. Mack wavered for a while, but ultimately refused to commit murder.

Taking matters into her own hands, Gretchen arranged for Mack and Harland to meet at the polo club stable. During the confrontation between the two men, Gretchen shot Harland and knocked Mack unconscious. She tried to frame Mack for the shooting, but her plan backfired and she was arrested. Disheartened, Mack left Santa Barbara.